Category Archives: buffalo

WNY Destination Spotlight: Elmwood Avenue

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Western New York is a thriving community filled with diverse places, people, and activities. We know that many of our candidates are new to the WNY region, so we decided to ask our ComputerPeople team one question – What is your favorite WNY destination and why. We hope this helps new WNY residents to get out and explore and that it inspires long time residents to try something new! Our first response is from Kaitlyn Gahagen, Marketing Contractor and Consultant.

Screen Shot 2018-08-16 at 8.43.17 PMKaitlyn’s favorite WNY destination is Elmwood Village. This area is a vibrant neighborhood that features everything from restaurants, bars, juiceries, art galleries, and cozy coffeehouses. There are beautiful tree lined streets and many dog friendly shops. Almost every shop and restaurant on Elmwood is locally owned and operated, and there is always something new to do or see.

Elmwood Village is Kaitlyn’s favorite WNY destination because she thinks it is one of the most beautiful streets in Buffalo. She loves being able to walk to various locations and spend time exploring with her friends and family. Kaitlyn believes that there is something for everyone on Elmwood, but you should definitely visit elmwood if you like shopping local!

Thanks for the tip, Kaitlyn!

What is your favorite WNY destination?

Mercy Flight Visit 7/22!

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Our team was at Mercy Flight on Sunday to volunteer at the open house!

Mercy Flight is an independent, not-for-profit provider of emergency and non-emergency air and ground medical transport and supporting services; ensuring rapid, safe and cost effective delivery of expert response teams.

Their goal of helping others who need it most is very inspiring to us at ComputerPeople, and we are proud to have partnered with them this past Sunday. Alongside the wonderful Mercy Flight team, we welcomed people from the community to learn more about what Mercy Flight does, see the hangers and helicopters, and meet the Mercy Flight crew including pilots and paramedics.

If you would like to learn more about Mercy Flight or donate, please visit their website here.

 

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Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

Reminder: ComputerPeople will be on-sight at Mercy Flight 7/22!

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ComputerPeople Staffing will be on-site at Mercy Flight’s Open House on July 22nd from 1:00pm-5:00pm. Come join us!

Check out Mercy Flight’s Headquarters and see their helicopters, get a firehouse tour, have a BBQ chicken dinner and much more! Hope to see you there!

 

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Employee Spotlight: Stephanie Joy

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Stephanie is our newest ComputerPeople employee. She has been with ComputerPeople since mid-April to assist with accounting duties. Although she has only been with us for a few months, she has known our team for almost a decade because she utilized FinancialPeople to staff her team when she was at Wilson Farms. Next time you are in the office, please make sure to give Stephanie a warm welcome!

We sat down with Stephanie to get her initial reaction to working with us at ComputerPeople. Here is what she had to say.

What sets ComputerPeople apart in the recruiting/business world?
Everyone here at ComputerPeople is genuine and kind.  They are looking out for the best interests of their clients and applicants.

What is your favorite office tradition at ComputerPeople?
I haven’t been with the team long, but I have already had the honor of celebrating milestones like birthdays and anniversaries. They are so much fun!

What is something most people probably do not know about ComputerPeople?
The team truly puts so much thought and energy into placements.  It is much more involved than I would have ever imagined.

What is something most people probably don’t know about you?
I don’t have much time for hobbies with my 5 and 3 year old daughters keeping me busy.  However, when I have time, I enjoy refinishing furniture.  My latest obsession is painting with an airless paint sprayer which I’m currently using to refinish our patio set.

Thanks, Stephanie! You have added so much expertise to our office, and we couldn’t be happier to have you as part of our team!

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

So, do you have any questions?

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Your interview is wrapping up, and the interviewer asks; “Do you have any questions?”

Some candidates have no qualms about this – they can think on their feet after a long, nerve-wracking hour of interrogation. Others struggle greatly.

The purpose of this post is to help the latter with this final question.

1) Preparation is key.

Sit down the night before your interview and put some thought into the initial list of questions that you’d like to ask during your interview. To get started, think about what questions you need answered to know if this is the right opportunity.

Some examples might be:

  • How do you measure success in your company? Tell me about the best person you have ever had in this position and what made that person
  • What are some of the common denominators that exist with the more successful employees of this company?
  • What are the biggest challenges one will face in this role?
  • What are the two most important problems that need to be addressed/corrected in the first six months by the person in this position?
  • What are the key responsibilities for this position and which are most important?
  • What results are expected of this position? What are examples of the best results produced by people in this role?
  • Why did my predecessor leave this position?
  • Tell me about your background and what attracted you
  • What advancement can a person expect, in this company and in the industry at large, after doing this job well?
  • What are some of the company’s short and long range objectives?
  • In what areas does this company excel? In what areas does this company have some limitations?
  • What are the company or department goals for this year and next?
  • How will I be evaluated, and how often?

2) Never just say “No”.

Never reply with a “No” – even if all of your prepared questions have been answered. (If you prepared thoroughly and your interviewer doesn’t just happen to be a mind reader, you should have at least one question left!)

You can come up with new questions throughout the interviewing process as others on your list get answered. Instead of asking a question during the interview, write it down and wait until the end.

If you feel that thinking of questions while trying to answer questions during your interview would distract you, you can reiterate the questions you had with the answers already given by your interviewer. This will assure him or her that you are in fact interested in the opportunity and the company, that you were listening, and that you were prepared. The more you can extend your face-time with the interviewer, the more likely you are to stumble upon a shared subject of interest, a sought after skill, or some other common ground. Your last impression is often just as important as your first. Ending on an abrupt note will leave a lasting, negative impression on the interviewer.

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So, do you have any questions?

Written by Faith Drew

Employee Spotlight: Marilyn Seitz

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If you have been to our main ComputerPeople office, you probably know Marilyn.  She has been a part of our team for four years and she is always willing to help out wherever she is needed. Currently, Marilyn is our main receptionist, but she also serves as an accounting assistant, data entry extraordinaire, and provides assistance with HR filings and marketing/sales assistance. Marilyn is also a force to be reckoned with on the golf course – she plays multiple times every week! We sat down with Marilyn to find out a little bit more about her and her view of ComputerPeople, and here is what she had to say.

What sets ComputerPeople apart in the recruiting/business world?

What sets us apart is how important it is to us that we find the right candidate for a job. We spend a lot of time searching and following up with candidates to ensure a perfect fit. Also, everyone on our staff takes pride in their work and goes beyond the call of duty. The goal is always to do a great job instead of doing “a job” that is expected.

What is your favorite office tradition at ComputerPeople?

It would have to be Christmas and birthdays. Around Christmas time, we gather as an office for a meal, gift exchange, and to spend time together. It is always a lot of fun! For Birthdays, we celebrate by bringing in a cake/dessert and taking time out of our work day to spend time together.

What is something most people probably do not know about ComputerPeople?

I don’t think people realize how much time and effort is put into finding the correct candidate and following up to make sure everyone is on the same page.

What is something most people probably don’t know about you?

I volunteer at Millard Suburban Hospital in the Pre Administrative office and love it!!!

Thanks for all you do, Marilyn! You are an amazing addition to the ComputerPeople team!

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

How to increase your happiness at work without getting a new job.

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Most full time employees work around 40 hours a week. For some, this time goes by quickly and it doesn’t feel like work at all. However, a recent Forbes Article divulged that about 70% of Americans are to some degree unhappy during the 40 hours a week that they spend at the workplace.  Are you one of them? While the obvious answer may be to find another job, we believe that there are a few things that you can do to really improve your happiness at the workplace.

GET ENGAGED. Studies have shown that employees who jump into the work environment, interact with those around them, and really get to know their products are much happier at work. Go to work functions after hours, participate, and get to know the people in the break room.

STAY ACTIVE. Although it may be sometimes necessary to stay at your desk most of the day, employees who keep physically active are overall much happier than those that do not. Go for short walks, stretch, and maybe even get some exercise during your lunch break if you have the opportunity.

BE COMFORTABLE. Talk to your employers about maintaining a comfortable thermostat (between 65 and 70 degrees), reducing noise, and utilizing adjustable chairs and desks. If you are uncomfortable, you are not going to be able to set yourself up for happiness at work.

In short, if you are really unhappy with the work that you do or the company that employees you, you may need to start looking for other options. But, there are a lot of unconscious factors that could lead to increased job satisfaction that you may not even realize. If the opportunity is there, you should always get engaged in office activities, move around, and maintain a comfortable workspace.

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

Employee Spotlight: Vicki Leavens

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If you have ever worked with us at ComputerPeople staffing, you probably know Vicki Leavens.
 
Vicki has been a part of our team for over 34 years in the roles of Administrative Assistant,  Office Administrator, Office Manager, and Accounting Manager.  Though her roles have evolved over the years, Vicki has always been extremely compassionate, an excellent team player, and one of the most reliable people in the office. Vicki is the kind of person who would do anything for anyone at any time, and we are so thankful we have her as part of our ComputerPeople crew!
We sat down with Vicki to get her view of what sets us apart as both a company and an employer. Read on to see what she had to say!
 
What sets ComputerPeople apart in the recruiting/business world?
What sets ComputerPeople apart is how much we care about the clients and the candidates. It is extremely important to everyone here that the perfect match is made for every role, and we are very dedicated to making that happen on the first try.
 
What is your favorite office tradition at ComputerPeople?
The way we celebrate the various holidays through out the year and our family atmosphere. The generosity of our President/CEO to both employees and clients makes these holidays especially valuable.
 
What is something most people probably do not know about ComputerPeople or CP staffing?
We may be a small firm but we make a big difference in the lives of  the people we work with.
 
Thanks for everything you do, Vicki! We definitely do not know what we would do without you in the office!
 

 

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

Recruiter Spotlight: Bill Bilson

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Bill Bilson has been a recruiter at ComputerPeople for two and a half years. We love having Bill in the office because he is an amazing listener, he always has fresh ideas, and he is pretty darn good at his job. Additionally, the name Bill Bilson is extremely fun to say. Bill is also known in the office for taking some of the coolest vacations ever, and it is safe to say we would all let him plan our next trip [proof is in the above photo]. We asked Bill some questions about being a recruiter, and here is what he has to say!

How do you find candidates for a new job order?

I’d say the most common methods are searching through our database, searching LinkedIn, and contacting candidates who apply through our website/job boards. I also utilize both referrals and people I’ve met at networking events to fill positions.

What is the most important quality that a candidate can have to make them standout from the rest?

Tough question, as it really depends on the position/company. For me, I think it comes down to personality. If multiple candidates possess comparable skills and are interviewing for the same job, the person whose personality best fits the environment is going to land the job. Remember to always be yourself when applying for a new job.

What advice do you have for someone that is just starting his or her job search?

Try not to get discouraged because finding a new job isn’t easy. If you’ve been applying to numerous jobs online that you feel you’re qualified for, but you aren’t getting much response, review your resume and consider making some edits. Applicant Tracking Systems are told to look for “buzz” words, so comparing your resume against the job description can be extremely helpful in getting a reply. In addition, and I might be a bit biased on this, I’d recommend getting in touch with a recruiter.

What inspires you to be the best recruiter you can be?

Knowing that my job is ultimately helping others. Whether it’s our clients who have a hard-to-fill position or a candidate looking for that perfect next step, it is extremely satisfying when the stars align and a perfect match is formed.

What is something that most people probably do not know about ComputerPeople or CP Staffing?

CP Staffing is a small company, but we have three divisions and two offices. In Buffalo, we have ComputerPeople (IT focused recruiters), FinancialPeople (finance and accounting focused recruiters), and Medicalpeople (Medical focused recruiters). In Pittsburgh, we have another FinancialPeople office.

Anything else we should know about you?

I am a guitarist and a drummer; in my younger years I was pretty active in the Buffalo music scene and a couple of our songs were featured on 103.3 the EDGE.

 

Thanks for being you, Bill. ComputerPeople is lucky to have you!

If you have any questions for Bill or you want to work with him as your recruiter, contact him at bbilson@cpstaffing.com

 

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

How To Be A Cover Letter Rockstar

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Cover letters can be scary to both experienced and inexperienced job seekers. What should you include in your cover letter? Should you even include a cover letter if it isn’t required? How do you know if your cover letter is acceptable? The reality is that you should not fear the cover letter. Here are a few tips to help you write your next cover letter like a pro.

Write one. ALWAYS write a cover letter. Yes, ALWAYS. The only exception to this rule is if the application specifically says not to write one, which is rare. Since most other people do not go the extra mile to write a cover letter, choosing to do so will set you apart and show the hiring manager that you are actually interested and prepared.

Keep it the right length. Your cover letter should be short. It should never go over one page. You can play with your font and margin if you need a couple extra lines, but try not to let that be too obvious. Also, never use comic sands. For anything. EVER.

Address it correctly. “To Whom It May Concern” is not going to help you stand out. You should address your cover letter to the manager of the department where you are applying to work. If you do not know the name of that person, just address your letter to the Hiring Manager.

Include the right things. First of all, you should grab the reader’s attention. There are several ways you can do this such as creatively introducing yourself, asking the hiring manager a question about his/her needs to fill the position you are applying for, or explain your interest in the position. Next, you should capture the reader’s interest by explaining why you are qualified for the position based on your experience, education, ideas, etc. Explain what sets you apart from the multiple other people that have applied for the position. In the following paragraph, share a few notable accomplishments with the hiring manager. The idea is to write something that will cause the hiring manager to want to meet you. If you are applying for a job in another area, it is important to tell the hiring manager why you are applying for a job in that area. For example, if you live in Tampa and you are applying for a job in Buffalo, you should tell the hiring manager why you want to live in Buffalo. If you do not do this, some managers will immediately discount your job application. Finally, directly ask the hiring manager for an interview.

Feel it out. Not all companies are created equal, so you are going to have to use your judgement if you want to strike the right cord. You never want to try to be something you are not, especially in an interview situation, but if you know a company is super relaxed, you might want to play around with your wording so that you give off the right impression. However, never try to be funny or not serious in a cover letter. You want to be yourself, but your cover letter will likely be a first impression, so make it a good one!

NOTE: Always follow the instructions of the employer when applying for a job!

Good luck!

 

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen