A New APR In 2018

Happy birthday! (1)

A New APR in 2018
By: Linda Stone

With the holidays right around the corner, I like to take a step back and reflect over the previous year – obstacles that were overcome, lessons learned, and moments that will never be forgotten.

In 2016, we launched the WeCare program with the sole purpose of supporting our contract workforce. In 2017, we evaluated our program and took the feedback of our contractors and made some significant improvements. In 2018, here are a few things we have planned:

  • Quarterly Giveaways
  • Contractor of the Month
  • New Digital Newsletter
  • Discounts to Local Area Attractions
  • Streamlined Email Communication

We also made major updates to our website including easier navigation, an employee hub for our contract workers, and completely refreshed the content and color scheme.

APR also began supporting new Fortune 500 clients in a variety of different locations, which means new opportunities for your career. Make sure to check-in with us at the end of your assignment so we can get you connected with your next opportunity.

I hope this holiday season brings you joy and wonder. I challenge you to reflect on 2017 and to look forward at the new season 2018 will bring. I hope you will utilize APR to help make it your best year yet.

“May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility.” – Mary Anne Radmacher

Warning signs of a bad staffing agency

1

Your experience from the moment you hit the apply button to when you’re hired is vastly different from staffing firm to staffing firm. Which makes it even more difficult to know what you should expect when working for one.

APR has been connecting people with job opportunities for over 35 years. We’ve been around to see what works, what doesn’t, and most importantly, how to treat employees that work for your agency.

When you’re applying for jobs and your considering to work for a staffing firm or agency you’re not familiar with, here are a few warning signs that you might want to consider before working with them.

2

Their application process is difficult and confusing

You find a job you want to apply for. After multiple clicks and having a hard time navigating their website, you now have to spend 15 mins filling out miscellaneous information that’s already included on your resume.

This should be the first red flag and you shouldn’t waste your time. This type of staffing firm clearly doesn’t have the employee experience first in mind. If you’d like to see a great example of what an application process should look like – check out our jobs page.

3

Their lack of social media presence is disturbing

You start to research the company on social media. You search for them on Facebook, Twitter, and even Instagram. You notice either A. it’s non-existent or B. their page isn’t engaging.

This should be your second warning sign. Social Media is a great way for agencies to stay connected with their employees. That’s why we are on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

4

The recruiter is unorganized, uninformative, and all around unprofessional

When you first talk to the recruiter, if they do any of the following, walk away:

  1. Pressure you into taking the position – They give you a deadline or say things “We need an answer in 24 hours”.
  2. Their cold, uninformative, and confusing –  They can’t answer simple questions and give you an idea of what the job entails.
  3. They over promise and under deliver – They say they will send you an email in the next hour and you don’t get it until 2 days later, or they say to expect a phone call from them in 24 hours and you never hear back.

If your recruiter treats you more like they are doing you a favor instead of a human being, this should be a big warning sign. Don’t waste your time working with a poor recruiter because they won’t stand in your corner when things get rough.

5

They forget about you once you’ve started working

An important question to ask the staffing firm or temp agency is what they do to stay connected with its workforce. Do they send out newsletters to keep in touch? Does someone check-in with you periodically to see how your assignment is going?

Last year at APR we launched our WeCare program.  With WeCare, we provide support from the very first phone call to your last day of work. We schedule periodic check-ins, support for any issue that may arise, employee recognition, and even an occasional giveaway. We also send out quarterly newsletters to keep our work force updated with any information that might apply to their job.

 

Keep these warning signs in mind when considering a staffing firm or temp agency to work for. If you’ve ever experienced something that isn’t on the list, let us know and comment below!

New WeCare Program at APR

APR is dedicated to doing everything we can to make sure you have an exceptional experience with us and that you receive all the support you need. Our commitment to exceeding your expectations is the foundation of our company culture, the meaning behind APR’s name, and our mission as an organization.

Our Mission…

To provide services and solutions with the highest degree of Accountability, Performance, and Results, delivering sustainable value, expedience, and effectiveness in meeting the needs of our clients, candidates, employees and stakeholders.

WeCare has been developed as a dedicated program with the sole purpose of fulfilling our commitment to exceeding your expectations through increased engagement and a dedicated platform to support your success.

Whether you’re just starting an assignment with us, have worked with us for some time, or your assignment term is coming up, we’re here for you! Please stay tuned for future WeCare communications from us via email, phone calls from our team, newsletters, blogs, and social media. You can also check out the Employee Resources section of our website for more information on upcoming programs, current events, past newsletters, and more!

Try us out: email us at [email protected] and check out the Employee Resources section of our website for more information on upcoming programs or current events.