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Does Your Employment Agency Software Measure Up?

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Maybe you don’t currently have staffing software in your office. Maybe you have a program, but it doesn’t meet all your needs. Maybe you’re just wondering, “What else is out there?”

No matter why you’re looking at staffing software, here are some features that you should be looking for:

  • Intuitive applicant tracking and resume management. In some ways, the entire program should be intuitive, but these two features are the bread and butter of any staffing software. It simply must be easy to use them and to learn, via extended use, the finer details of the program.
  • Contact management. I’ve written a lot about the importance of social networking in the staffing industry. You and your colleagues have to be able to constantly – and easily –  grow and manage their contact list.
  • Cloud compatible. Why take up precious hard drive space with a cumbersome software program? Log in and let the software company worry about the hardware.
  • Mobile compatible. Mobile is the new frontier of…well, just about everything. Most of us are already  running around with portable, pocket-sized computers called smart phones.  Staffing software needs to be compatible with these devices as we all want to acceess work data at home, the coffee shop, the airport, the neighbor’s house, at our favorite London pub, and so on.
  • Compatibility. Employment agency software should work seamlessly with social networks like LinkedIn and Facebook, software like Office, Outlook, SQL, and other enterprise programs.
  • Standardized and Customizable. Some reports are used by just about every staffing company, and some are unique to particular sub-sections of the industry. Make sure your employment agency software offers both.
  • Service, service, service. Yes, staffing software should be intuitive, but of course ongoing training and support will be needed for optimal integration. Stay away from employment agency software that doesn’t come with a thorough training program, a plan for installation and data conversion, and ongoing support.

Of course, I think that Bond US has the best suite of  employment agency software in the business. Contact us today for more information. Better yet, set up a free demo and see if we measure up to the standards above.

Holiday Recruiting – 5 Things You Need to Know

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It’s not too late to get into the holiday recruiting spirit.

Alas, that’s not the same as getting into the holiday spirit – but it’s still worth your time and effort. Why? Contrary to popular wisdom, the holiday season – roughly, from mid-December to mid-January – is a good time to recruit. A lot of web-based applicants slow down their activities, assuming (wrongly, of course) that no one hires during this time. This leaves more time for a recruiter to zero in on top applicants.

So here are a few suggestions for recruiting during the holidays:

  • Pay attention to college graduates. Did you know that roughly one-third of all college student graduate in December? Armed with a degree, they’re ready to get a semester ahead of the other two-thirds in the search for jobs.
  • Pay attention to foreign candidates. Not everyone thinks of late December/early January as a time for office parties. For much of the world, it’s business as usual, which means qualified candidates will be looking for jobs.
  • Pay attention to retail and customer service candidates. More precisely, pay attention to their supervisors. More face-to-face customer action happens during December than any other time during the year, so it’s a great time to find out who the very best retail and customer service performers are.
  • Call up those busy candidates. You’ve been wanting to bring them in for an interview, but they are to busy with work, with a project, with their own business, etc. Chances are, they will have some free time over the holidays.
  • Send cards. Emails and the occasional call are easily ignored, but most people would feel bad if they didn’t open up a card – especially if it’s hand-addressed. So send those top candidates a card and let them know that you’re still thinking about them. They’ll get the message.

For more recruiting tips and information about recruiting and staffing software, tune into this and other Bond US blogs.