Category Archives: recruiting

Misconceptions About Staffing Agencies

Leave a reply

There are many misconceptions about what a staffing company actually does and I’d like to set the record straight! Here are three of the most common beliefs about staffing agencies and whether or not they are true.

Agencies only provide temps or “fill ins.” – False! Some clients think that a staffing agency provides the “fill in” worker while the company searches for the “real” substitute for a position or that an agency won’t provide the best candidate to ensure repeat business; this couldn’t be further from the truth! Staffing agencies aim to find a candidate that not only fits a client’s immediate need, but one that will be a great fit with the company in the long run. Seeing a client grow in a position/company is the ultimate feel-good moment for staffing agencies!

Staffing Agencies are only for entry level jobs. – This one couldn’t be more false! Staffing agencies find jobs for all levels, in nearly every industry. Here at CP Staffing we do specialize in Financial, Medical and Computer jobs. Agencies are also very honest about what skills or training is needed to ensure that you’re properly prepared for the level of job you are applying for.

We get you an interview and then that’s it. – False! We pride ourselves in the fact that we follow up, follow up and then follow up! We thoroughly prepare you for the interview and stick with you long after you accepted the position.

Here at CP Staffing, we have everyone’s best interest in mind. We aim to make the client and the candidate happy with every job post and interview.

If you are unsure about a posting you see, don’t hesitate to call one of our recruiters! They are always more than willing to help!

What questions do you have about what we do?

Written by Lindsay Olewniczak

Visit our website here: http://www.cpstaffing.com/index.aspx

Visit our open jobs here: http://www.cpstaffing.com/jobs.aspx

A Word From Lindsay

Leave a reply

Hi! My name is Lindsay and I am the new Administrative Assistant/Social Media Assistant at CP Staffing. I started working here two months ago and I feel so lucky to be a part of this team. On my first day everyone was very nice and welcoming, which is to be expected for a first day experience. As the days went on, though, the nice, friendly attitudes and interactions didn’t go away! Every single person that works here is genuinely kind. Every. Single. Person.

Why am I telling you this? Why am I gushing over my amazing job and co-workers (the recruiters) and making people jealous?! I’m telling you this because the way they treat me and each other here is the exact same way they treat their candidates and clients. Everyone respects everyone, it’s amazing!  The recruiters truly care and want to help find the best possible job for you.

Looking for a job can be a very stressful thing to do, especially if you’re doing it alone. The recruiters are here to help you and they pride themselves in placing the right person in the right job. Here at CP Staffing our focus is Computer, Medical and Financial jobs and the recruiters are VERY knowledgeable in their specific areas.

So check out our website or give us a call if your background is in one of our specific areas of expertise. I know our recruiters would love to meet you!

***Disclaimer***

I am not saying this just because I work here! I actually feel this way and think everyone should take advantage of this amazing opportunity! What do you have to lose?!

 

Visit our website here: http://www.cpstaffing.com/index.aspx

Visit our open jobs here: http://www.cpstaffing.com/jobs.aspx

 

 

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

Leave a reply

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!

 

No automatic alt text available.

Employee Spotlight: Stephanie Joy

Leave a reply

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?

Leave a reply

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.

____

So, do you have any questions?

Written by Faith Drew

Employee Spotlight: Marilyn Seitz

Leave a reply

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

Employee Spotlight: President and CEO Cindy Neese

Leave a reply
Cindy has been on the ComputerPeople team for over 34 years. She started out as a Sales Representative in May of 1984, just 14 years after ComputerPeople first opened its doors. Over the years, she worked hard to progress into the roles of Sales Manager and VP of Sales before she was promoted into her current role, President/CEO of ComputerPeople. Cindy is an excellent example of a selfless leader. She is always putting her team first and coming up with new ways to make everyone at ComputerPeople feel loved, valued, and heard. We sat down with Cindy to find out a little bit more about ComputerPeople and about Cindy herself! Read on to find out what she had to say.
 
What sets ComputerPeople apart in the recruiting/business world?

There are a few things that really set us apart from others. Our longevity in the market, the tenure of our in-house employees, and the relationships that we have built through 50 years of doing business in the Buffalo community definitely set us apart from the crowd. However, I am most proud of the fact that we make it our business to understand our customers culture. We do this in order to do a better job of determining the best candidates for a company to create the perfect employer-employee match for every job order.

What is your favorite office tradition at ComputerPeople?
My favorite office tradition is at Christmas. For this holiday, we always go out for a team lunch and then do a secret Santa gift exchange.  We have shared many laughs together as associates steal gifts from others!
 
What is something most people probably do not know about ComputerPeople?
We were the first privately owned specialized IT Staffing firm in Buffalo.
 
What is something most people probably don’t know about you?

I play the piano and I love flower gardening!

Cindy, we all appreciate everything you do to make ComputerPeople such an amazing place to be!

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen

Creating A Resume From a Template? Read this First.

Leave a reply

Resume templates are amazing tools. They allow candidates to create stunning resumes in a short amount of time. They are usually easy to read, cover all the details, and look very professional. However, if you use a template resume, there are a couple of mistakes that are easy to make. Read on to find out some of the most commonly made mistakes when using a template resume and how to avoid them.

Not filling in all of the sections. This seems so simple, but you would be surprised how often we see things like [company name here], [more detail about your role here], and [add your reference here]. Recruiters and hiring managers usually take about 30 seconds or less to review a resume, but that is an extremely noticeable mistake that will ALWAYS be caught. Employers want to know that you have attention to detail, and this is a quick way to get yourself dismissed from the candidate search. You can avoid this my reading over every word of your resume out loud before you submit. When you read out loud, your brain cannot skip over things and you will catch the mistake. We also recommend having one of our recruiters or a trusted friend read over your resume before you submit it.

Not listing all of your experience. Just because your resume template only has three sections of prior experience does not mean you should only list three sections of prior experience. It is definitely okay to break the mold of the resume template if you have extra sections to add. Also, don’t forget to add things like relevant skills or experience if that information would be applicable to the job. You can avoid this by brainstorming all of your experience and skills into an unformatted “master resume.” When you apply to a new job, make sure to highlight the most relevant things from your “master resume,” and do not include the things that are not relevant. You never want to lie or exaggerate on your resume, but it is definitely a great idea to tailor your resume to the job.

Not fixing your spacing. You should do everything you can to try and keep your resume down to one page, especially if you do not have a lot of experience. If you absolutely have to go on to two or three pages then that is okay, but do everything you can with spacing and margins to reduce the amount of pages in your resume before you submit. Your first priority should be that your resume is easily readable, but you also want to keep it as short as possible while still including details about your skillset and experiences.

Is your resume based on a template? Comment back with the mistakes that you caught or lessons that you learned!

 

Written by Kaitlyn Gahagen 

Employee Spotlight: Vicki Leavens

Leave a reply
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

Leave a reply

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