Ring in the New Year with Our Top Posts of 2014!

When it comes to the world of staffing, things happen at warp speed. Trends emerge, businesses hire, and employees are promoted or leave positions to seek new ones. Keeping up to date on the latest in job and staffing news can be a full-time job in itself. This year, we covered these topics and more. The most popular posts were about getting (and not getting) a job, why temp-to-hire is launching careers, and fun infographics about our Open Interview events that took place throughout the year (and will continue to take place in 2015).

A new year means a fresh start, but our mission won't change – we’ll continue to keep you in the loop about what it means to be job seeker or an employer in Maine and New Hampshire. We’ll provide more job and staffing news and interesting insights about employment, hiring, and being part of the work force in the months to come. We’ll be here to listen to you, too – if you have questions or comments about BONNEY Staffing, about job seeking and hiring, and if you have suggestions about what you want to hear more about.

To cap off the year, here are our most-read posts. If you missed them, they are worth a read.
And finally, whether you are an employer, and employee, or a current job seeker, we wish you a rewarding new year marked by new opportunities and successes.

Our Top 5 Most Popular Posts of 2014

1. Why You Didn’t Get The Job. Waiting to hear about the perfect job? Eliminating these mistakes along the way will increase your odds considerably. 
2. Temp-to-Hire Emerges As Today’s Career Launch Pad. Find out why today’s temp jobs have emerged as career and resume gold.
3. Open Interview Event. Not sure what to expect at an Open Interview Event? This always-popular infographic provides the basics in a glance so you’ll be ready for the next one!
4. Jobs for Veterans: Easing Re-employment's Challenges. Find out about job resources for veterans and how staffing companies are easing their transition into the workplace in Maine and New Hampshire.
5. BONNEY Staffing Center is a 2014 Best Place to Work! Our good news is also a favorite read, and that’s a fitting end-of-year tribute to our outstanding staff. See why our award-winning work environment benefits our staff, our clients and our community.

Ready for a new start in 2015? Join us! There's no better time to find out how BONNEY Staffing is changing lives and starting careers.

Holidays at the Workplace

An Employee Survival Guide for Grinches & Elves Alike

Whether you work full-time or part-time, or you are a temporary or seasonal worker, you probably consider your coworkers your second family. And like family, you’ll be spending at least some of the holidays together. The key to navigating the season at work, as it is at home, is to pass along the joy and take a pass on the disasters. These holiday tips will help you do just that– think of it as our gift to you.  

Workplace Gifting 101

Price can be a workplace gifting bugaboo. For instance, going big can send the wrong message, plus incidental workplace costs can already make mincemeat out of your wallet. Whoever is in charge of gifting, whether white elephants or Secret Santas, should set price limits up front. (If that’s you, around $20 is the norm, as is asking coworkers to opt in rather than opt out of the events). With moderate pricing in force, thoughtful giving is the rule of thumb. Gift cards or food gifts are evergreen workplace options. If you’re buying for someone you don’t know, put your Santa hat on and find out a little something about them first (“I heard you get your 10 o’clock coffee fix at The Screamin’ Bean – here’s a gift card!”) to avoid being too generic.

If your workplace isn’t organizing a Secret Santa, remember that business etiquette does not require you to give a gift to anyone in the workplace. In fact, if your instinct is to bring cookies to the lunchroom and call it good, be our guest – a majority of American workers don't plan to give gifts to their coworkers or their boss. Our best advice: follow company culture, gift to those in support roles, and cover yourself for any surprise elves bearing gifts by keeping a small wrapped present in a drawer just in case.

Did your office gift party go from “nailed it” to “oh no he didn’t”? Take heart from these gift giving fails from USA Today.

Holiday Party Basics

Cutting an annual rug can be a workplace rite of passage after all that nine-to-five. But we all know the first rule of holiday parties: Imbibe, and suffer the consequences Monday morning. While Ebenezer required a ghost of Christmas past to show him his transgressions, today we have it all on video (yes, that’s you dancing on the appetizer table). As mundane as this advice is, it happens – when the punch or eggnog is spiked more than it should be (You added the rum? I added the rum!), you’re tired, stressed, and working on an empty stomach. There’s just no other way to say it: when it comes to workplace celebrations, your mantra is moderation. Now, repeat until 2015.

Take that advice to heart, and the rest is simple. Remember that workplace parties are fun and work all rolled together in a proverbial yule log. Take a couple of minutes before arriving to make a mental note of names, small talk openers, and who you need to track down for a quick conversation (such as complimenting your supervisor on her design skills in the latest office memo). Bringing a significant other? Your workplace will let it be known if it’s OK. According to Blogging4jobs.com, you may want to think twice about bringing a brand new beau – unpredictable behavior will be a reflection on you. Do you have a friend who might be interested in the company or is spending the holidays solo? Unless its employees only, they are usually welcome, and they can make the evening more festive.

Finally, here’s the holiday party tip of the decade: Participate in the traditional antics. Says Boston.com, embarrassing yourself by joining in karaoke at the holiday party means you’re a team player. The points you get for belting out Celine Dion when the time comes will be worth it, even if the boss thinks you’re a little pitchy.

If all else fails and the office party is an abject disaster, don’t worry, it could have been worse.

Hush Your Humbug 

Nobody wants to be the coworker with the mistletoe hat and the jingle bell socks (Phil, I’m talking to you!). But being office neg-head when it comes to holiday cheer gets old as well, and it’s a brutal contagion. Forced joy can exacerbate seasonal frustration. Nevertheless, take the Rudolph target off your cubicle wall and grasp the jolly while you can. If over-commercialized giving provides the pall, spearhead a toy or coat collection for a local charity, or volunteer (scientifically proven to lift spirits). Then, put Idina Menzel’s holiday album on Spotify, and take the office celebrations in stride.

The Bottom Line

Remember that even if your only holiday tradition is strife while others seem to be having a season worthy of Norman Rockwell, it’s probably not the case. In fact, many of us aren’t caroling over the holidays – we’re working.

According to recent data, a quarter of Americans will be punching in instead of taking off this season. Holiday workers include employees in retail or service industries, those who work temporary and seasonal jobs, and those who rely on the extra cash. It’s easier said than done, but if the holiday pressures are bearing down particularly hard, do your best to make like a snowflake and chill – once the New Year is here, spring can’t be far behind.

Multitasking Mixed Messages

Is Task-Juggling at Work OK? 

In the heyday of multitasking, it was common to brag about answering email, writing a report all while in a meeting about the latest sales numbers. But today, multitasking has plenty of detractors, and for good reason. We now know that focusing on a single task, not juggling two or three, decreases stress and increases productivity exponentially. However, in many jobs, including production, assembly line, administrative, even managerial jobs, employers consider multitasking an asset. And in certain positions, i.e.  Reception, Front Office, or Customer Service, constant interruption and switching gears is simply part of the job. These mixed messages can have employees asking, when it comes to workplace multitasking, exactly what’s acceptable and what spells job disaster?

Workplace Multitasking: Acceptable

• You go high-low. According to experts on cognitive function, the key to effective multitasking is pairing a low level task with a higher level task. If you are engaged in something mundane, like stuffing envelopes or highlighting weekly income totals on the annual report, feel free to have that weekly check-in meeting, or dial in to the monthly conference call without worrying that your draining brain power. 

• Your job requires it. Don’t confuse doing too much that your work suffers with putting good job skills to work. Many jobs require multitasking behaviors. In fact, employers sometimes consider it a job requirement. Taking a coffee order at the same time you’re making change isn’t inefficient. It’s good service. And, the more habitual multitasking becomes (that is, the more experience you accrue) the less cognitive dissonance will result.

• You’re chunking it out. There’s a difference between doing two things at once and alternating tasks. If your job requires you to accomplish diverse duties, but you’re doing them in blocks of time of at least 15 to 20 minutes (the longer the better) without interruption, you’re “chunking”– and your multitasking is probably in the clear. 

Workplace Multitasking: Unacceptable 

• You’re there, but you’re not there. Sometimes, managers encourage workplace multitasking – when conference calls last for hours, answering email or working on other projects is expected practice. However, it’s important to understand multitasking expectations in your workplace, even if rules are not explicit. Are earbuds customary, or do they make you look like you’ve checked out? Does compulsive phone-checking in meetings mean you’re dedicated, or that you’re more interested in your personal life?

• You're constantly task switching. According to the author of The Myth of Multitasking: How 'Doing It All' Gets Nothing Done you’re losing precious time when you task switch: it’s the refocusing that causes time spillage. If your switch-to-task ratio is out of proportion, you’re on multitasking alert. Set single daily meetings with conversational time burglars, and shut down electronics to avoid interruptions. Immerse in tasks for 15 minutes and work your way up to 40 to reset your multitasking meter.

• You’re not taking time to think. You may be good at being task-focused, but you turn to email immediately after closing that Excel sheet. Take five instead. A breather after focusing on a task isn’t just a mini-vacation for your brain, say cognitive scientists. That brain downtime allows you to make connections, come up with solutions, and be more creative on the job. And that will make you a better employee, not just a busier one.

What’s Your Multitasking Profile?

Multitasking Maven. If I’m not texting, emailing, walk-talking to a lunch meeting while on hold with tech support, call the authorities – space beings have taken over my body.

Not Now, I’m Chunking: For at least 15 minute intervals, I’m immersed. Except for the phone – hey, it could be important.

Do Not Disturb. Zen-like periods of focus are the only way I get my work done. All my calls go straight to voice mail.

Poll Maker

Overcoming Barriers to Employment

Conquering Obstacles in the Path Toward Getting a Job

For many job seekers, getting a job is not simply a matter of finding the right position. Barriers to employment can make looking for a job akin to running an obstacle course. Barriers can be logistical, such as scheduling issues, child care needs, or lack of transportation. They can be also be barriers that deny an applicant access from employers completely – things like a criminal record, lack of education, or glaring work history gaps.

Unless job seekers can prove these barriers can be overcome, usually through job experience, the cycle can be hard, dimming the job seeker’s prospects. And, when applicants are eliminated from the labor force, employers lose workers who can be productive members of their company as well.

Challenged Job Seekers Turn to Staffing Companies

Reputable staffing companies are in the business of helping turn job seekers into workers, even if they have challenging resumes.  “We want to make sure the fit is right, both for the applicant and the employer,” said Mandy Wertman, Human Resources Representative at BONNEY Staffing Center. Marketing an excellent candidate to a client, regardless of their challenges, benefits both parties, she said.

With their large network of clients, staffing companies can tap employers that offer alternative shifts and flexibility, for example – eliminating barriers for those with child care, transportation, or scheduling issues. They can also help job seekers communicate aspects of job history and experience in a way that employers will be receptive to. In addition to providing diverse hiring options, staffing companies also have the benefit of the worker—Staffing Supervisor relationship. Staffing Supervisors can serve as invaluable mentors to job seekers with hiring challenges, supporting them on the job and as their experience progresses.

For workers who have more challenging barriers such as skills deficits or work history gaps – even criminal records – good staffing companies can provide life-changing support to job seekers who feel like they are treading water in today’s job market.

Skills or Education Deficits. It’s a well-known employment trap: a worker who lacks job skills can’t get a job without them.  A good staffing company will work hard to evaluate each applicant individually, identifying strengths based on work and life experience. These strengths might fill in for any skills gaps.  Does the job seeker have experience that could translate to another field of work?  Are they an excellent candidate who lacks certain computer skills?  An applicant can be directed toward the appropriate tutorials or training material before being marketed to a client, increasing their chances of getting hired.

After a careful assessment, a good Staffing Supervisor will be able to communicate an applicant’s strengths to clients and help the applicant prepare to communicate them as well. Other skills-building options include on-the-job training, which not only helps overcome a skills barrier, but can eliminate it completely. Some employers in Maine and New Hampshire provide on-the-job training, which helps them move workers into positions fast, satisfying a client’s immediate need for workers at the same time.

When it comes to education, staffing companies have the luxury of working with many different clients and knowing their education requirements.  Depending on the job opening, a client may require degrees or specific technical expertise. But for less-skilled positions, some employers will welcome good employees no matter their educational shortfalls, even supporting workers in completing their GEDs while on the job.

Employment Gaps. One of the most common barriers to employment is a gap in an applicant’s work history. Unexplained gaps can put job seekers at a major disadvantage, and for those with employment gaps due to illness, inability to find work, or personal reasons, it can seem impossible to get back on track.

Overcoming Employment Barriers: Essential Strategies for Job Seekers

Address the barrier. “Successful people don’t let their roadblocks stop them; they turn them into assets,” said BONNEY Staffing Center’s Sarah Joy. That means meeting job challenges head on. Volunteer to help fill employment gaps, or find training to fill skills deficits. Career centers and staffing agencies can direct you to resources for help with scheduling and transportation issues, and they’ll work with you to help you address issues such as criminal records or disabilities.

Communicate. Get help communicating the nature of the barrier so you are prepared to address it in a conversation with a potential employer. Career centers and staffing agencies are trained to help you clearly articulate challenges in your job history and demonstrate the efforts you’ve made to overcome them.

Be open-minded. "You have to be open," said Joy, “You have to step back and say, ‘How do I retool?’” Sometimes that means doing whatever it takes, even if that means taking something that isn’t your dream job. Even small steps can get you back on track and make you feel like you’re moving toward your goal.

Be honest. Whether the barrier to employment is large or small, being honest when questions arise, either in person or on an application, is imperative. When a staffing specialist or employer knows your issues, they can help you address them.

The best way to overcome employment gaps is to address them head on. “Communication is key,” said Wertman. “We look at the whole employment history and take a holistic approach. If they have a solid work history before their most recent gap, that counts.  If they’ve been doing volunteer work, that will be taken into account.” If an applicant needs to build more or recent work history, Staffing Supervisors can provide resources for burnishing that history through volunteer work, referrals to their local Career Center, or accruing work experience through BONNEY’s S.W.A.T.  program that provides immediate short-term employees for employers with last minute or day-to-day needs.

Criminal History. At BONNEY Staffing Center, if a worker has a criminal conviction, they are not automatically turned away. BONNEY follows EEOC guidelines, and each BONNEY applicant receives an individualized assessment with regard to any criminal convictions.  With client consent, they will place individuals with a myriad of backgrounds. In many cases, employability depends on the offense. If an applicant has a theft conviction, they will not be able to work in a position handling money or in financial services, for example.

Personal & Professional Setbacks. One of the most challenging barriers for someone seeking a job can be a personal or career setback that wears away self-esteem and alters self-perception. “Self-perception can be a real stumbling block,” said BONNEY Staffing Center Portland Branch Manager Sarah Joy. Joy often sees job seekers who may be talented, but are frustrated because they are not where they want to be. “They may be timid, scared, not sure what to do next. They've lost their job, had some unexpected bad luck, had to take care of a sick family member, or had to relocate...they may feel defeated,” she said. “I want to help everyone see the opportunity available in any job opening they may be qualified for.”

Joy coaches individuals that fit into this category to keep an open mind about jobs that might provide a chance to lead them back up the professional ladder, even if the jobs are initially entry-level. She has seen many mended spirits in her career. She cites an applicant with a degree in Ecology who couldn’t find a job in her field. The applicant started building her career as a receptionist – at an environmental consulting firm. She was eventually hired and put her degree to use. Another applicant, a seasoned worker who enjoyed needlepoint, found she was equally suited to work in small-piece assembly.  An applicant who’d suffered a career setback took an entry-level Production job and worked his way up to Supervisor. Joy said if a worker is flexible, motivated, and willing to take a job that might not start out as their ideal position, they can often get back on track. “They can turn roadblocks into building blocks,” she said.

Turning Challenges Into Strengths

We all have unique experiences that make us who we are.  It is part of the mission of experienced staffing companies like BONNEY Staffing Center to help everyone who wants to find work get a job. If a Staffing Supervisor finds they simply can’t place a job seeker directly, they'll suggest other resources. That can include Social Services, Career Centers that offer workshops and seminars and job training, local Chambers – even other staffing companies.

For job seekers, relying on an experienced Staffing Supervisor to serve as liaison to potential employers and a focus on solutions instead of barriers can make the difference between being “screened out” and being given an opportunity to demonstrate their strengths. In Maine and New Hampshire, where employers often express concerns about a thin labor pool, that can be a win-win for employers and employees alike.

BONNEY Welcomes New Branch Managers for Portsmouth & Biddeford Offices

BONNEY Staffing Center is pleased to announce two new additions to our team of professionals! As Branch Managers working within their local Maine and New Hampshire communities, the new members of the BONNEY team will lend their expertise in bringing job seekers and employers together. They will also help maintain the high standards of strong leadership that BONNEY is known for. Welcome!

Kelly Collins, Branch Manager, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Kelly Collins has joined the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Office of BONNEY Staffing Center as Branch Manager.

Kelly Collins

Originally from Auburn, Maine, Collins spent four years on active duty in the US Army; 2 years stateside and 2 years in Panama, Central America.

Upon returning to Maine after the Army, Collins moved to Portland and helped launch the The Portland Phoenix arts and entertainment newspaper. She has worked for the mortgage company Beneficial HSBC, and has held positions in sales, sales management, and training for major media corporations. Collins has over 20 years of sales experience in areas of advertising, mortgage and finance, banking, multimedia, and SEO/SEM.

On a lighter note, when Collins was in the Army, she began a side business as a DJ, working in dance clubs and on the radio. Following her military service, she continued to DJ weddings for about 10 years before retiring her microphone in 2005.

Collins said her journey with BONNEY began in August when she visited the Biddeford Office for an interview.  A few weeks later, she began what she calls her dream job with BONNEY in Portsmouth. “I feel like I have become a member of a wonderful family and am looking forward to a bright future!” she said.

Westley Tucker, Branch Manager, Biddeford, Maine

Westley Tucker has joined the Biddeford, Maine Office of BONNEY Staffing Center as Branch Manager.

Westley Tucker

Tucker grew up in Portland, Maine where he attended school and became interested in business and technology. “Specifically intriguing to me were the challenges that organizations face to remain competitive and profitable, especially in today's fast-paced, ever-evolving global theater,” he said. This passion for business prompted him to attend the University of Maine, Orono where he completed a B.A. in Business Management.

Following graduation, Tucker worked at Hertz in Portland, where he worked his way up to Operations Manager. He became interested in exploring work at a smaller company, and was attracted to BONNEY because of its positive culture. “The staffing industry is, without question, unique, and the people at BONNEY Staffing are so full of passion and pride for what they do. It is clearly represented in their work and their care for both the employee and the client,” said Tucker. He praised the wonderful team at the Biddeford Office where he now serves as Manager and said he looks forward to the exciting opportunities ahead.

Tucker was married this June, and he and his wife live in Portland.

Did You Know?

BONNEY Staffing Center has 8 local Branch Offices located throughout Maine and Southern New Hampshire in an effort to better serve the communities in which you live and work. You can visit the Branch closest to you and talk to a Staffing Supervisor or Branch Manager in person – or you can call or email your local BONNEY Office. Find a local Branch Location near you!

BONNEY in the Community

From a Day of Hope to a Wounded Warrior – Collaborating with Organizations that Support & Inspire in Maine

Building strong communities where we live and work is important to us at BONNEY.  We’re proud to support the people and organizations that make helping Maine and New Hampshire community members their mission. Recently, BONNEY was on hand to lend employment expertise at area events that have a focus we feel strongly about. Providing a resource for jobs is part of keeping the fiber of our local communities strong, and wherever we can help veterans, families, and individuals secure needed employment, we’ll be there.

Bangor - A Day of Hope for Area Families

BONNEY was invited to participate in the Day of Hope event held at the Bangor Waterfront on September 20th. The Day of Hope, part of the Convoy of Hope organization, visits communities throughout the country (and internationally) to provide help and resources to those in need. It was an incredibly successful and rewarding day; thousands of area residents were able to receive free medical and dental exams, groceries, job placement help, haircuts, clothes, and many other services. BONNEY was there with a booth to offer resumé reviews, answer employment questions, and work with job seekers on applications. We were so pleased to be a part of this event and to be able to provide a resource for our community!

Topsham - An Inspiring Celebration of Veterans

SSG Travis Mills and Stephanie Asselin, Branch Manager Topsham

BONNEY was honored to be invited to the 'Celebrate Veterans!' conference held in Boothbay, Thursday, Sept. 25th. In attendance were veterans organizations, First Lady of Maine, Ann LePage, and representatives from the military, Chambers of Commerce, Maine Career Centers, and leading local businesses. The day included amazing stories of overcoming adversity and lively discussions about the issues and challenges facing our veterans, including sharing of best practices and brainstorming new proposals. We were pleased to take part in the Employer Panel: Hiring Veterans Works, along with UNUM, Bath Iron Works, AAA and Cianbro.

Wounded warrior and motivational speaker Staff Sergeant Travis Mills gave the keynote. In the two years since Travis Mills lost all four limbs, this unstoppable veteran and determined husband and father learned to walk, started an adventure camp in Maine for other wounded warriors, and founded the Travis Mills Group, a platform from which he encourages injured vets and others not to lose hope and to never, ever give up. This is a true story of overcoming obstacles to amazing success! You can find out more abut Travis Mills at The Travis Mills Foundation.

BONNEY's Employees of the Year!

In honor of National Staffing Employee Week, dedicated to the millions of American workers who are employed by staffing companies each year, each BONNEY Branch Office selected an Employee of the Year to receive a Certificate of Appreciation, a monetary prize, and recognition for their outstanding contributions! From entry-level to professional status, staffing employees work in every sector of our economy.  We appreciate all of the hard work and dedication set forth by our employees, and we strive to match their exemplary performance within our own organization each and every day!  

And the Winners are...

Denise Gouin has worked with BONNEY's Windham Office since December 2013. In the past 9 months she has played a huge role at Bridgton Hospital's Medical Records department. Her position was originally supposed to be a 2 - 3 month long project, but has since become a full-time position with no end in sight! Denise is prompt, efficient, personable, and has great communication skills. BONNEY is proud to have such a dedicated employee working with us! Congratulations, Denise, for being our Employee of the Year!	The Portsmouth Office is excited to present Employee of the Year to Donna Terrio! Donna has worked on so many different assignments in the past year (25!), taking on everything from Test Scoring to Food Service to Housekeeping. Donna is extremely reliable and flexible, willing to pick up a shift or a project at a moment's notice. She takes pride in her work, is loyal to our clients, and is someone we can always count on! Thank you, Donna, for everything you do! You represent the best of what BONNEY is!
Congratulations to Joanne Kennedy, Employee of the Year in Portland! Joanne has been working for BONNEY at Maine Medical Center since 2011. Each summer she returns to Maine from her winter residence to provide tremendous support to the MMC HR department during a very busy time of the year. She is a true go-to employee who is reliable, dedicated, friendly, a team player and a pleasure to have work for us each year. Joanne is a fantastic example of temporary staffing, working to meet someone's flexible work requirements, no matter the stage of one's career! We are proud call Joanne our Field Employee and look forward to having her back in 2015!	Biddeford's Employee of the Year is Richard (Rick) Tetherly! Rick has been working on varied assignments for BONNEY since April 2013. He has a strong work ethic, is incredibly reliable, and always makes a good impression with the client, whatever the assignment. Rick also has a fabulous sense of humor which makes him fun to be around! He is currently working at Hussey Seating and they were delighted to congratulate Rick on this honor, gathering all of their employees to surprise him for the presentation! Congratulations, Rick, and thanks so much for everything you do!
Terri Radecki is Employee of the Year in Bangor! When Terri came to BONNEY last winter, she was open to being considered for all of the positions we thought she'd be qualified for - no matter the schedule or type of assignment. Her eagerness to learn new skills and her adaptibility have made her a joy to work with. Terri loved the opportunity that one gets with temp assignments to check out a position or industry, i.e. 'try before you buy'. Terri was recently placed in a part-time temporary position and was hired on perm by the client a short while later! She has since become an important member of her new team. Congratulations, Terri!	Congratulations to Brett Ewing, Auburn's Employee of the Year! Brett has been on assignment with Lufthansa through BONNEY for 2 years. He's a standout employee there - extremely dependable, reliable and flexible. They have 100% confidence in Brett and his abilities and consider him a valuable asset to their team! Brett has been loyal to Lufthansa, knowing that his job there will end when once the project he's working on is complete in another 1-2 years. Lufthansa has rewarded this loyalty; when Brett had to take a personal leave for several weeks, they made sure to have his spot waiting for when he returned. Brett is absolutely the best representation of what staffing employees can be!
Samuel Charlton is Employee of the Year for BONNEY Augusta! Sam has been working at Boston Financial in Rockland since December 2012.  Sam is flexible and has always been willing to 'go the extra mile' when needed.  He has a wonderful attitude and is consistently optimistic even when stress levels are high! Sam likes to surprise his co-workers with the occasional box of donuts, but his generosity is not limited to his co-workers. Sam helped spearhead a playground project at Damariscotta Lake State Park and the playground was finally completed this summer! Congratulations, Sam!	Ralph Keenan is Employee of the Year for BONNEY Topsham! Ralph has been working onsite at OCV Technical Fabrics in Brunswick since May of 2013. Ralph is going to school full-time while working nights for BONNEY, setting a great example for the rest of us. He's also been very reliable — only missing one shift in the last year! BONNEY Staffing and OCV each feel very lucky to have Ralph on their team!

National Staffing Employee Week

BONNEY Staffing Center Salutes Millions of Staffing Employees During National Staffing Employee Week, Sept. 15–21

BONNEY Staffing Center joins staffing companies across the country in celebrating National Staffing Employee Week!  This week was established by the American Staffing Association* to pay tribute to the millions of Americans who are employed by staffing firms nationally. 

Businesses tap staffing companies for quality talent in virtually all sectors, from call center service representatives to skilled tradesmen to attorneys.

“National Staffing Employee Week is a salute to the important and talented temporary and contract employees who actively contribute to the growth and maintenance of our economy,” said Joel Gratwick, President of BONNEY Staffing Center.

For those who are seeking their first job, re-entering the work force, or looking for something new, temporary and contract employment offers many benefits:

• Jobs: The staffing industry matches millions of people to millions of jobs every day. Some 2.98 million temporary and contract employees work through U.S. staffing firms on an average business day.
• Flexibility: Employees can choose when, where, and how they want to work. Companies can get the skills they need to keep fully staffed during busy times. 
• Bridge: Temporary and contract work provides a bridge to permanent employment. People can try out a prospective employer and showcase their skills for a permanent job. 
• Choice: Many people choose temporary and contract work as a preferred employment option. They can select their work schedules and choose among a variety of diverse and challenging assignments. 
• Training: The staffing industry provides free training for millions of temporary and contract employees to help meet today’s demand for skilled workers. 

“We’re proud to be involved in an industry that provides so many benefits to employees, to businesses, and to America’s economy,” adds Gratwick.

BONNEY is pleased to honor all of its field employees during this special week.  Each Branch Office selects their Staffing Employee of the Year to receive a Certificate of Appreciation, a monetary prize, and recognition for their outstanding contributions.  We appreciate all of the hard work and dedication set forth by our employees, and we strive to match their exemplary performance within our own organization each and every day.

We’ll be featuring our winners throughout the week starting Tuesday, September 16th, so be sure to check back to see all 8 of BONNEY's Employees of the Year!

*About the American Staffing Association.  
The American Staffing Association is the voice of the U.S. staffing industry. ASA and its affiliated chapters advance the interests of staffing and recruiting firms of all sizes and across all sectors through legal and legislative advocacy, public relations, education, and the promotion of high standards of legal, ethical, and professional practices. ASA members provide the full range of employment and work force services and solutions, including temporary and contract staffing, recruiting and permanent placement, outplacement and outsourcing, training, and human resource consulting.

Open Interview Event: September 15th

8 BONNEY Branch Locations Across Maine & So. New Hampshire!

We're Opening Our Doors! September is the perfect time to invigorate your career, and BONNEY Staffing Center’s region-wide Open Interview Event is the perfect place to start. On Monday, September 15, 2014, all 8 of BONNEY’s Branch Locations will open their doors as part of a region-wide open house job extravaganza! Missed our June event? You can explore our current 250+ job openings throughout Maine and Southern New Hampshire this month. A wide variety of fields are represented, including Administrative, Accounting, Clerical, Customer Service, Hospitality, Medical/Legal Office, Manufacturing, Production, Technical, and Warehouse, and many jobs are IMMEDIATE HIRE with some of the best local employers in the region. 

If you're ready for a change, mark your calendars, or tell someone you know who would rather spend this fall in a new job, not searching for one. Here’s what you can expect on the day! (Download as a PDF) 

Open Interview Event Tip: Save time on Monday by applying online ahead of time. 

BONNEY Staffing Center is a 2014 Best Place to Work!

 
For the third year in a row, BONNEY Staffing Center has been chosen as one of the Best Places To Work in Maine! We are honored to be one of the 70 Maine companies to win this award in 2014. The Best Places to Work in Maine program was created in 2006 and is a project of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - Maine State Council and Best Companies Group. The program recognizes companies that have created outstanding workplace environments in Maine.

Partners endorsing the program include: the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Maine HR Convention, the Maine Department of Labor, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, Mainebiz magazine, and JobsinME.com

This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Maine, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses. The 2014 Best Places to Work in Maine list is made up of companies in three size categories: Small (15-49 U.S. employees), Medium (50-249 U.S. employees) and Large (250+ U.S. employees).

Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Places to Work in Maine. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, and demographics and the second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience.

BONNEY took part in the Best Places to Work in Maine awards ceremony on October 8 and was profiled in a special publication by Mainebiz!

     

The 2014 Best Places to Work in Maine:

SMALL EMPLOYER CATEGORY (15 - 49 Employees)

Albin, Randall & Bennett, Portland
BONNEY Staffing Center, Portland
Hall Internet Marketing, Portland
Holden Agency, Portland
Kennebec Federal Savings, Waterville
MPX, Portland
Nurse Anesthesia of Maine, Brewer
PeoplesChoice Credit Union, Saco
Pierce, Portland
Plixer International, Inc., Kennebunk
RLC Engineering, LLC, Hallowell
Sage Data Security LLC, Portland
SFX AMERICA, Portland
TruChoice Federal Credit Union, South Portland

MEDIUM EMPLOYER CATEGORY (50 - 249 Employees)

Allagash Brewing Co., Portland
Allen Insurance and Financial, Camden
Androscoggin Bank, Lewiston
Apothecary By Design, Portand
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Bar Harbor
Bath Savings Institution, Bath
Bedard Pharmacy and Medical Supplies, Auburn
BlueTarp Financial, Portland
CashStar, Inc., Portland
Clark Insurance, Portland
Coastal Women's Healthcare, Scarborough
Community Care, Bangor
Connectivity Point, Auburn
Day's Jewelers. Waterville
F.A. Peabody Company, Houlton
FISC Solutions, Lewiston
Good Shepherd Food Bank, Auburn
GreenPages Technology Solutions, Kittery
Harriman, Auburn
Infinity Federal Credit Union, Westbrook
Kepware Technologies, Portland
Machias Savings Bank, Machias
Maine Credit Union League & Synergent, Portland
Maine Savings Federal Credit Union, Augusta
Maine State Credit Union, Augusta
Mechanics Savings Bank, Auburn
Moody's Collision Centers, Inc., Gorham
Patriot Subaru, Saco
Putney, Inc, Portland
SeniorsPlus, Lewiston
Skowhegan Savings Bank, Skowhegan
Systems Engineering, Inc., Portland
Thayer Corporation, Auburn
Tom's of Maine, Kennebunk
Town & Country Federal Credit Union, South Portland
Winxnet, Portland

LARGE EMPLOYER CATEGORY (250+ Employees)

Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, Lewiston
athenahealth, Inc., Belfast
Bangor Savings Bank, Bangor
Barclays, Wilton
Carbonite, Inc., Lewiston
CIANBRO, Pittsfield
Cintas Corporation, Westbrook
Consigli Construction Co., Inc., Portland
Diversified Communications, Portland
Edward Jones, Belfast
Geiger Group, Lewiston
Hancock Lumber Company, Casco
Hollywood Casino Bangor, Bangor
InterMed, P.A., South Portland
Kaplan University Maine Campuses, South Portland
Maine Veterans' Homes, Augusta
New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc., Norridgewalk
T-Mobile US, Oakland
Tyler Technologies, Inc., Yarmouth
Unum, Portland

For more information on the Best Places to Work in Maine program, visit www.BestPlacestoWorkinME.com or contact Jackie Miller at 877-455-2159.

Employer Survival Kit

Hiring Challenges? Meet Them Head On

Your staff is the heart of your business. It defines your company culture and is the foundation of productivity, innovation and development. Whether your business is in growth mode or scaling back, hiring and retaining top quality staff is a critical part of its success.

Of course, economic uncertainty only makes hiring decisions more complicated. Even with a job market characterized by slow and steady growth, regional challenges in Maine and New Hampshire, such as a stagnant population, a dearth of younger workers, and a much-publicized skills gap, can plague local employers. And, when jobs are in demand, hiring can feel like looking for one qualified fish in an ocean of applicants, overwhelming and overburdening human resources departments. How do employers make intelligent hiring decisions and cope with limited HR capacity?

Staffing Companies Lighten the Load

Businesses often turn to support to shore up their HR processes and lessen the pressures of hiring and maintaining staff, whether permanent or temporary. Enlisting a staffing company means creating a new partnership, and choosing the right partner can increase productivity, boost a business’ bottom line, and invigorate an organization over the long haul.

Staffing companies take care of many of the resource-sapping processes, such as screening employees, conducting background checks, verifying references, and interviewing. They also have rich resources for tapping the just right skilled worker for a project. Beyond the hiring process, staffing companies also take care of payroll, invoice employers for payment, and because they serve as the employer of record, are responsible for withholding taxes, providing insurance protection, including worker’s compensation and unemployment benefits. They often provide supervisory services as well, taking additional burden off of company employees.

Employer & HR Local Resources 

• When staffing decisions are being made, HR support is paramount. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is organization of human resource professionals with chapters in Maine and New Hampshire that provide information and support on a variety of HR topics HR strategies, best practices, conferences, legal issues and more. Find Maine chapters or find NH chapters.

• Resources for employers including hiring, unemployment insurance and workers compensation, and safety and training resources can be found at Maine.gov.

• For support with financing and growing a business in the state of New Hampshire, visit the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center. In Maine, get the help you need at the Maine Small Business Development Center.

• Maine Career Center provides employer resources including recruiting, labor market information and hiring support. And, if you are a Maine employer looking to hire quality workers with strong leadership and teamwork skills, find a CareerCenter Veterans' Representative.

Adding Value

In addition to basic hiring services, value-added services and specialized programs offered by staffing companies can mean return on investment that extends beyond just HR relief. For companies with challenging needs due to volume, timeframe, or skill set, staffing companies collaborate to find creative solutions. Top-tier agencies offer a variety of staffing options such as temporary workers, direct-hire workers, and engage in strategic hiring when specific skills are necessary. For example, as part of maintaining a valuable partnership with clients, BONNEY Staffing Center offers employers robust skills and assessment training (a great predictor of worker productivity), insurance protection, 24/7 availability for urgent needs, and employees benefits that translate into better quality recruiting and better retention.

Employers can also tap into the latest hiring technologies. BONNEY also offers the latest in job search technology, with their “Say Something Great” video resumes. The ultimate in streamlining the hiring process, BONNEY’S SSG video interview system allow employers to virtually meet candidates from their desk. Learn more about BONNEY’s Say Something Great Video Resumes.

Whether your goal is to take advantage of specialized programs and services, to boost to your bottom line, or simply to find that one fish in Applicant Ocean, consider a brand new partnership – with a staffing company. It’s an investment that can pay dividends far beyond the HR office.

Staffing Company Checklist

Looking for a HR support for your business? Ask your staffing company if they have these value-added services before you commit:

✓ 24/7 Availability. If you have emergency staffing needs or employ shift workers, 9-5 service from your staffing agency could leave you in the lurch when you most need help.

✓ Complete Insurance Protection. If you employ workers in the field, don’t take risks. Make sure your staffing agency offers insurance that is complete, comprehensive and above industry averages. 

✓ Complementary Skills Training.  Have a project requiring specialized on-the-job training? Ask your agency about charges for orientation and training to make sure they are taken into account. 

✓ Geographic reach. If your company has multiple offices, single-locations agencies can be inefficient when it comes to recruiting. And don’t discount local staffing agencies for nation needs – BONNEY Staffing, for example, is part of collective of independently-owned staffing companies across the country, giving them national reach. 

✓ Onsite Management. Some agencies offer services that include complete project coordination and management of temporary staff so you can focus on other core job duties. 

✓ Employee Performance Tracking. Make sure your agency has a solid track record of performance tracking, evaluations and quality control. 

✓ Benefits for Employees. Robust benefits for employees support an agency’s retention and recruitment efforts, ensuring the best employee for your project.

Questions about how staffing companies work with businesses? View FAQs about hiring, staffing and billing, or see if BONNEY’s specialized programs fit your needs.

BONNEY Blog $50 Cash Card Winner: Christopher Flaherty

We asked for your temp and temp-to-hire stories and we heard from you!

Christopher Flaherty, winner of our $50 Cash Card Contest
at work at his temp-to-hire job at Dunkin' Donuts in Bangor.

The Bonney community shared their experiences about temporary work and job placement in response to our call to comment on a recent post about temp and temp-to-hire jobs. We heard from college students, those who were returning to temporary work after time away, and those who turned to temporary work after a long time engaged in job search. It seems our suspicions were confirmed: employees in Maine and New Hampshire are finding temporary work to be a fit for their lifestyle, a way to gain work experience, and an access point for full-time, permanent positions.

Congratulations go, however, to our $50 cash card winner Christopher Flaherty. He shared his experience about working with Bonney in temporary positions that eventually led to full-time work. When we reached out to Christopher, he told us he found Bonney through the Maine Job Bank in Bangor and Central Maine and they provided contacts for businesses that were hiring in the area. That led to him being hired full time by CPL Dunkin' Donuts in Bangor through a temp-to-hire opportunity.

Christopher said he appreciated Bonney for their seamless hiring process and for their simple payment processing. He said he also took advantage of the placement agency’s wealth of information about interviewing and job success, found on the Bonney Staffing Center website and blog and through his staffing supervisor. He reminded us of an excellent point: signing on with a placement agency provides valuable resources that can help employees get and keep a job – something job searchers just don’t have when they go it alone in the job market.

Christopher’s best advice for those starting out with temporary work? “Patience, remaining honest and reliability,” he said.  “When you get hired, remain dedicated and reliable and show you can do the work. It will help you keep the job in the long term.”

Thanks, Christopher, for being a part of the Bonney community! And thanks to all our blog post commenters for participating in the contest. You are all valued members of our local work force.

Congratulations to Runner-Up Tori Russell, winner of a $25 cash card. 

Temp-to-Hire Emerges As Today’s Career Launch Pad

There is no disputing that today’s employers are keen on temporary workers. New enthusiasm for this longstanding job segment has taken temp work, specifically Temp-to-Hire positions, from the fringes of the labor force and moved it front and center.  “More employers, for example, are laying down the mandate,” quotes a June article about the role of temporary jobs in the job market in the New York Post. “Job candidates must work temporary assignments before they will be considered for full-time jobs,” declares the piece.

Temp-to-Hire, unlike standard temp work, which usually ends when the work is completed (though temp jobs sometimes can lead to permanent hires) is an agreement between a staffing company and a hiring company that a field employee work as part of a trial period before being hired permanently. Once relegated to lower level positions, Temp-to-Hire has become the launch pad to permanent positions across industries and at every skill level. Job seekers can find Temp-to-Hire jobs in almost every field, from administrative and executive to general labor.  A requisite temp period before being hired, reports the Post, is not just for entry-level jobs. And the advantages of this “try before you buy” approach, as it is often referred to, can provide real advantages for employers and employees in a recovering economy.

Blazing a Trail to the Permanent Job

Ask someone you know how they landed their current job, and don’t be surprised of they say they found it through a Temp-to-Hire opportunity.  Temporary workers are hired full time 50% of the time according to some reports, and if the job is specifically Temp-to-Hire, chances escalate.

During a Temp-to-Hire trial period, both the employee and the employer determine whether the jobs is the “right fit” and they consider establishing an employment relationship. When the time frame ends, the company can hire the employee without further obligations to the staffing company. According to Bonney Staffing Center, in a Temp-to-Hire situation, a company's decision to hire a field employee can range from one day to several months or even longer. Bonney, an agency that fills Temporary, Temp-to-Hire, and Direct-Hire jobs throughout Northern New England, places Temp-to-Hire positions regularly, and has established relationships with local companies that have come to depend on them for good candidates who can round out their permanent staff.

There’s no question that Temp-to-Hire employees have an advantage when vying for a permanent position. They don’t just have a foot in the door, they are on the job day in and day out proving their worth. Temp-to-Hire employees also benefit by being able to get a feel for a company or a position before signing on permanently.  A job that seems perfect can often end up being a poor fit, and if that’s the case, employee and employer can part ways with no hard feelings. Temp-to-Hire jobs also have all of the advantages of temporary jobs, including the chance to build skills and fill work history voids, all while on the permanent job track.

Of course, Temp-to-Hire is work on contingency – there is no guarantee that a worker will be deemed fit for a company’s permanent position. Employees are encouraged to keep an open mind about the future opportunities – some may even find a permanent position in the interim (don’t forget to give proper notice if that occurs). If you are considering a Temp-to-Hire job, it can be helpful to ask your staffing specialist what the track record is for hires at the company you are considering.

In a Temp-to-Hire Job? Here’s How To Make It Permanent

Not all temp positions end in a hire, but if the job description states “Temp-to-Hire,” permanent employment is a possible outcome. If you love your new job, make sure the feeling is mutual. Here’s how to make the transition to permanent employee at the end of your temp tenure.

• Show your best self. Temp-to-Hire jobs are auditions for both employer and the employee, and employers want you to prove yourself. Be reliable, stay late or come in early if need be, and make your case for being a stellar employee. Your commitment is an investment in your future job, and if you’re giving it your all, employers will want you on their team.

• Don’t treat it like a temp job. Don’t adopt “it’s just temporary” attitude. Not investing in the long term is a sure fire reason for an employer to show you the door when the time comes. Find out what it takes to be a permanent employee, show your investment, and express interest in being hired permanently. Act like you are part of the company, and you might be. 

• Do something great. Temp-to-Hire jobs are great motivators for workers to make their mark. Even if you can’t change the world, take note of the value you’ve added during your term –processes you’ve made better, goals you’ve achieved, or relationships you’ve cultivated – it’s all ammunition for the permanent interview.

• Fit in. Don’t underestimate the importance of fitting in. The truth is, an employee with the best permanent prospects isn’t just a sales wiz or the first to pull in the parking lot in the morning – they’re somebody who fits in with the company culture. They get along with co-workers, they pay attention to dress codes and behavior, and they do their best to blend in before they stand out. 

Looking for Temp-to-Hire positions? Ask your local staffing specialist at Bonney about temp-to-hire jobs, or search current temporary jobs.

No Summer Vacation? No Surprise in Maine & NH

Area Workers Welcome Summer on the Job, Not on the Beach

Not packing up your beach gear and heading to sand and shore this summer? Don’t worry—the days of rejuvenating for a week by the pool or at a fishing camp may be on the wane. Sure, plenty of employees are putting an “x” through some of those peak summer days on the calendar, but if your summer plans include work, work and more work, don’t be discouraged. You’re one of many, living in an area of the country where summer employment is a necessity. 

In Maine and New Hampshire, taking summer jobs or seasonal temporary positions, or just keeping regular work hours status quo is what keeps finances coming in. It can also be a boon for workers taking advantage of jobs offered by area businesses where summer productivity thrives. 

Working This Summer? Join the (Expanding) Club

The Griswolds can have their theme parks and their R&R – but for growing groups of employees, if the sun is high, the work is on.  

Students. If you’ve been hitting the books all winter, you’re a prime summertime job seeker. Those putting their feet up during summer break are few in Maine and New Hampshire – vacation is, first and foremost, a chance to rake is some cash for the coming year, or for padding that resumé in anticipation of graduation. 

For some, taking a vacation just isn’t part 

of the warm weather routine:  ¼ of workers 

don’t have paid vacations as part of their jobs.

Service or Tourism Industry Workers. Many workers in Maine and New Hampshire bank on June, July and August to boost their income. Hiring season for restaurants, retail stores, parks, and inns can translate into a perfect opportunity for workers to get household finances in the black. Whether you work in another field all winter (teachers, for example) or you work temporary jobs all year, summertime is definitely not leisure time. 

Production workers. In Maine and New Hampshire, many production companies gear up for summer due to planned increases in production. Job seekers looking for seasonal work, or those who may be unemployed or looking for a job change, reap the benefits. Workers can get a foot in the door at large companies, enhance their skills and experience for future job searches, or take advantage of the Temp-to-Hire option offered by some staffing agencies by turning a seasonal gig into something full time. 

Admin & Office Work. Plenty of office workers and administrators take summer vacations, and the work they leave behind isn’t going to do itself. Enter local workers who pinch hit for those employees in administrative and office jobs across industry sectors.  Summer hires fill the gaps left by vacationing employees, employees going on maternity leave, or those who may require an unexpected absence. Businesses often have relationships with staffing companies just for this reason, and when the relationship works out, some jobs can last well past summer. 

Outdoor Workers. When the sun shines, plenty of industries in Maine and New Hampshire make hay. Hiring peaks in spring and summer for businesses that depend on weather. Construction jobs and general labor jobs heat up, as do landscaping and grounds labor jobs. 

Weigh in: Is your summer vacation actually a summer staycation?

Are You Taking a Summer Vacation?

Yes, and I’m counting the days.

No, but it’s voluntary – there’s money to be made.

Would if I could. My job doesn’t allow for paid vacations.

My job IS a vacation! Why would I need another one?

Poll Maker

Open Interview Event: June 18

Searching for a job? Ready to make a change? It’s the perfect time to attend BONNEY Staffing Center’s region-wide Open Interview Event! On Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at all 8 of BONNEY’s Branch Locations, you’re invited to explore over 250 job openings throughout Maine and Southern New Hampshire! 

It’s is an exciting time for job seekers, and for anyone exploring the advantages of joining the BONNEY team (there are plenty). We have IMMEDIATE job openings in a variety of fields – Administrative, Accounting, Clerical, Customer Service, Hospitality, Medical/Legal Office, Manufacturing, Production, Technical, Warehouse and more! Mark your calendar, and tell someone you know who could use a foot-in-the-door or a change for the better.  To save time on Wednesday, apply online ahead of time.  Here’s what you can expect on the day!
(Download as a PDF)