J & J Staffing Resources

J & J Staffing Resources, Somerset New Jersey Sales Office has moved!

2010-07-07T13:10:00.002-04:00

Our Somerset Sales Office, one of ten located throughout the Tri-State area, has moved. To better meet the needs of our Customers and Candidates, we have moved into a beautiful office building just off Davidson Avenue. Our new location is easy to find, only one quarter mile off of Easton Avenue.

J & J is dedicated to growing its presence in the Somerset area. Our new office space is just one of the changes we are making towards this goal.

Our New Address:

J & J Staffing Resources

100 Franklin Square Drive

Somerset, NJ 08873

Phone: (732) 356-2020

If your company is looking to hire a new team member or you are looking for a new career, call J & J today or visit J & J on the web at www.JJStaff.com!

J&J Holiday Closing

2010-07-02T16:50:00.001-04:00

In honor of Independence Day, all J&J offices will be closed Monday, July 5, 2010, and will resume regular business hours Tuesday, July 6, 2010. We at J&J Staffing wish you all a happy 4th of July, and safe holiday weekend.

Revamp Your Resume

2010-04-26T12:17:00.004-04:00

There is no doubt the way to land a job is to stand out from the many candidates going for the same position. There are so many applicants with qualified skills and educational backgrounds that employers are looking more toward personality to help develop their staff. It is much easier to explain your distinctive abilities and experience in an interview; the challenge is offering a hint of those qualities in the written form clearly enough to secure an interview at all. This introduces the challenge of having a "typical resume."

There are a number of general resume standards that have seemed to be etched in stone, i.e. keep to one page, apply typical terms like, "strong work ethic," and use traditional resume vocabulary such as, "results oriented." With the development of different markets an unpredictable economic climate, and overall competitiveness in employment, now is the time to be clear on how the efficiency in your experience is a result of your unique work style. A resume will always have its business standards, but there is always room for professional creativity. Follow the link to see how to revamp your resume!

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-experts-10_phrases_that_can_sink_your_resume-115

50 Common Job Interview Mistakes

2010-03-29T09:35:00.001-04:00

With frequent shifts in employment, more and more people, both seasoned professionals and new comers to the job market, are engaging in the most critical part of the application process, the interview. A successful interview can not only secure your position at the company you desire to be apart of, but also showcase your qualifications and abilities that would make you a helpful part of the team. Follow the link to read 50 common mistakes made on job interviews.

http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2010/03/10/50-worst-of-the-worst-job-interview-mistakes

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday

2010-01-18T10:54:00.003-05:00

J&J Staffing will be celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in observance today, January 18, 2010. Today we recognize and remember his tireless commitment to equality and peace, and honor the life and legacy of Dr. King.

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence." ~Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

2010-01-04T08:51:00.002-05:00

J & J would like to kick off the new year by celebrating Nancy Thorpeas, Office Manager, NJLESA (NJ Law Enforrcement Supervisors Association), as our success story this week!

Success Story: Nancy came to NJLESA with a very successful background in Human Resources. After staying home to raise her family, Nancy was ready to get back to work. This diversified job had Nancy maintaining the entire office from vendor relations to ordering office supplies, taking minutes at meetings and keeping the day-to-day operations running smoothly. Nancy has heavy contact with state employees and writes many letters to the Governor’s office on behalf of NJLESA. NJLESA is the union for Sergeants, in the state of NJ for the Department of Corrections.

What’s Next: Nancy’s vision down the road is to land a Human Resources position for the state of NJ. As for now, this position is a perfect fit for Nancy, her family and NJLESA.

Success Story: Donna DeFrank

2009-12-30T09:40:00.006-05:00

J & J Staffing would like to showcase Donna DeFrank, Executive Assistant to the President & COO, NFI Industries- Vineland Construction Company, as our final success story of 2009!

Success Story: Donna began at NFI when she accepted a three week temporary assignment working for the President of the Real Estate division in Cherry Hill. After several other short term positions with different NFI locations, a temp to hire position became available as an Executive Assistant to the President & COO of NFI’s Vineland Construction Company. Since Donna had done such an outstanding job for NFI in their other departments, she easily transitioned into this position. After only six weeks of working as a temporary for NFI, they hired her as a core employee.

What’s Next: Donna is looking forward to learning more about the many different divisions that make up NFI Industries.

Success Story: Margaret Ruffin

2009-12-22T08:48:00.002-05:00

J&J would like to showcase Margaret Ruffin as our success story this week!

Position: Medical Assistant/Front Desk

Success Story: Margaret has been a Medical Assistant since 2004 and in January she was laid off. She came to J & J looking for a position where she could remain in her career path. By the end of January, Margaret accepted a Temp to Hire position with our customer Capital Health Systems-West Trenton Medical Associates in Ewing. After completing her first week of work they were looking to make Margaret a permanent employee. Here’s what our customer said about Margaret. “Margaret has excellent customer service skills. She always helps fellow employees when possible. A true team player.” Thanks to Margaret’s highly prized “good attitude and work ethic,” she has become a permanent employee as of August.

What’s Next: Margaret has found her “dream” job, and for now, is progressing and learning many new things. Front Desk Supervisor in the medical field would be the next logical career goal. With the anticipated growth of Capital Health Systems, Margaret is on the right career path for continued success.

Success Story: Deborah Chambers

2009-12-14T12:54:00.004-05:00

We celebrate Deborah Chambers as J & J's success story of the week!

Position: Customer Service Representative-Triplefin

Success Story: Deborah came to J&J with a solid background as a Call Center Supervisor. She began at Triplefin on a temporary assignment in August 2008. After doing an outstanding job, they created a permanent position for her in April 2009. With Deborah's years of experience combined with her enthusiasm and professional demeanor, the sky is the limit.

What's Next: Deborah is looking forward to a long career filled with new challenges and growth.

Hometown Hero

2009-12-07T08:48:00.005-05:00

This week, J & J Staffing is celebrating Corporal Ian C. Booth of Sicklerville, New Jersey as our local, hometown hero.

Current Assignment: Ian is with the 2/9 Weapons Company, Mobile Assault Platoon #3. Ian just returned from his first tour in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom last month and is currently stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC. While serving in Iraq, Ian was awarded the Navy and Marine Corp. Commendation Medal for his outstanding achievement.

Background: Ian graduated from Overbrook High School in 2002. After working in the construction field, he joined the Marine Corps in 2007 and was
deployed in 2008.

Family: Ian and his wife Christina have two daughters, Isabella and LilyAnne. Their home is currently in Jacksonville, NC.

Success Story: Lisa Briggs

2009-12-01T11:19:00.006-05:00

This week, J & J would like to showcase the success story of Lisa Briggs!

Position: Analyst, Haines and Haines Insurance Co.

Success Story: Lisa came to Haines and Haines with several years of administrative experience in various work settings. She accepted a temporary assignment where much of her focus would be in working with QuickBooks to manage client accounts. She also handled travel arrangements for company personnel as well as assisted in facilitating marketing projects. She was hired as a core employee following completion of her assignment. Lisa is also currently continuing her education by pursuing a degree in business.

What’s Next: Lisa hopes to complete her education while successfully acclimating herself to her
responsibilities at Haines and Haines.

Hometown Hero

2009-11-23T10:32:00.006-05:00

J & J would like to celebrate hometown hero, Corporal Jeremy J. DeLaurentis of Medford, New Jersey.

Current Assignment: Jeremy is with 1/10 Tango Battery. Jeremy
returned from his first tour in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in May and is stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. While serving in Iraq, Jeremy was combat meritoriously promoted to Corporal. Since his return, Jeremy has graduated from section chief school and is a combat marksmanship trainer.

Background: Jeremy graduated from Holy Cross High School in 2005. He received a certificate in welding from B.C.I.T. in 2007. He joined the Marine Corps in 2007 and was deployed in 2008.

Family: Jeremy has two brothers and a sister. He returns to his parents home in Medford whenever he is on leave to visit with family and friends.

10 Funny Office Faux Pas

2009-09-10T16:05:00.001-04:00

Working in an office environment can be a unique and worthwhile experience. You grow as a professional, have the support of a team, and you have an opportunity to meet a variety of people. Follow the link to find 10 funny situations to avoid at all cost!

http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/107646/10-office-faux-pas.html

J & J office will be closed Monday, Sep. 7th

2009-09-04T14:39:00.003-04:00

Your local J & J office will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day. This day was created to be a day of rest to recognize the efforts of hard workers. In keeping with the spirit of the holiday, J & J would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy Labor Day weekend!

Please direct any questions or concerns to your local J & J office.

J & J Closed Friday, July 3rd.

2009-07-01T10:26:00.001-04:00

Your local J & J office will be closed on Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day on July 4th. Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Please direct any questions or concerns to your local J & J office.

J & J would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy July 4th weekend!

Succeeding in an Economic Downturn

2009-05-27T15:02:00.013-04:00

By: Sean Malady

“Bridging the Gap to Tomorrow’s Recovery”

An economic downturn is as inevitable as the upturn that follows. The economy rarely stays still. It is always moving in one direction or another. And just as the sun cannot shine all the time, the rain will not last forever either.

Having a good long‐term plan needs to take this cycle into account. Human Resource Professionals as well as Hiring Managers have the task of supplying qualified human assets no matter what cycle the economy is in. Project Engineers that were plentiful last year may be hard to come by this year. Compensation ranges can change quickly. Available talent can ebb and flow like the tide. Is your company prepared?

Another consideration is the industry you find yourself in. After decades of hearing one industry after another being touted as recession proof, one fact remains clear; no industry is safe from the economic cycle. Industries may be affected in different ways and at different times but we are all vulnerable.

If we know economic challenges are coming, how can we prepare?

The two most basic factors that help company’s weather difficult economic times are;

1. You need to have a plan.
2. You need to create and maintain a level of flexibility.

Having a plan is one of the best ways to communicate to your staff that you recognize where the economy is and that you are taking steps to deal with it. As the owner or manager of a company, your team looks to you for guidance. They rely on you to keep their jobs and their futures safe. By creating and implementing a plan of action you reassure your team and help them deal with the constant barrage of bad economic news they see in the News Media.

Outlined below is a basic plan that can be customized for almost any business.

1. Lock in your customers.
Go overboard to solidify relationships with your valuable clients that will help you ride out the storm.

2. Focus on receivables.
You are not the only company feeling the difficult economic times. Reduce the time you give clients before following up on a past due invoice. Catch a slow paying customer before they become a bad debt.

3. Reduce physical inventory.
Conserve your cash for resources you need now.

4. Evaluate staff.
Identify the 5% to 10% of your staff that are your bottom performers. Can you refocus their skills or can you work without them.

5. Lock in your key performers.
Make sure those people that get things done and affect the bottom line are happy and secure.

6. Focus your sales and marketing.
Energize your sales effort. Look at your Sales and Marketing and focus on your most profitable products or services. Now is not the time to roll out a new product that will require a capital investment to get moving.

7. Plan for the recovery.
How will you handle that next big order you were not expecting.

The best byproduct of creating and implementing this plan may not be how it helps you weather the current economic storm but how it teaches you to stay sharp in good times as well. The same attention to receivables that helps you in tough economic times can help you free up your line of credit in explosive economic times so you can afford to expand more quickly.

Embrace Flexibility

Now that you have a plan you need to make flexibility a part of your daily decision making process. Flexibility in business is not something you embrace today and use tomorrow. It takes time and effort. Each time you make a key decision you need to back it up with the words we all hate, “What if?”. Although we have all known people who could “What if?” something to death, we are talking about having a sensible backup plan if the factors that led you to make a key decision suddenly change.

Tough economic times force you to run your business closer to the edge. Bad news that you would simply shrug off in good times can quickly drown your company in tough times. You need to be creative and resourceful.

Staffing is my business so evaluating and managing your human assets is what I do every day. If you have followed the seven step plan above you have already evaluated your staff and solidified your relationships with your top performers. This may not be enough. If you have staff you can’t do without but they are not busy due to a fall off in business, get them involved in another aspect of your work. Have them help with your sales effort. Have them make customer touchdown calls to stay current in your client’s minds. Have them stuff sales mailers. Have them do anything that can drive money to your bottom line. Now, some of you may think it a stretch to have your HR Manager or your IT staff stuffing sales mailers, but if you have designed and implemented the plan above, your staff will be aware of the company wide effort to succeed and may just surprise you with their willingness to pitch in and be part of the solution.

Another people management recommendation is to have a relationship with a local staffing company. Some years ago I was working with a senior recruiter who had spent many years in the aerospace industry. He told me that every good manager has a good recruiter in their back pocket. Having a recruiter that knows your company and your culture who can find you people fast, either contract or permanent, can help you sleep at night when you are running your company at minimum staff levels. I tell the companies I consult with to think of us as an insurance policy; you may never have to make the call but knowing you can sometimes makes all the difference.

The same approach can work in almost every facet of your business. Find sources for fast, flexible warehouse or office space. Find sources for fast ways to supplement your telecommunications or customer service departments. Identify those areas key to your business success and create a quick, short‐term plan that you can call upon when required.

The final recommendation I have is seeking out experience. When you find yourself facing tough economic times, maybe for the first time, seek out people who you respect who have weathered the storm before. For me, I knock on the door of the 75 year old founder and president of my company. He helps me to put things into perspective. Together we drill down the challenges we are facing and identify the 2 or 3 areas where we need to focus our efforts.

Remind yourself always that the only constant in business is change. These tough economic times will not last forever. Push those clouds away by designing and implementing your own plan to make the sun shine on your business.

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." Charles Darwin

For more information visit http://www.JJStaff.com/

Flag day is June 14th!

2009-05-20T16:08:00.003-04:00

The “Stars and Stripes”, the official National symbol of the United States of America was authorized by congress on that Saturday of June 14, 1777 in the fifth item of the days agenda. The entry in the journal of the Continental Congress 1774-1789 Vol. Vlll 1777 reads “Resolved that the flag of the thirteen United States be Thirteen stripes alternate red and white: that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

In Waubeka, Wisconsin, in 1885, Bernard John Cigrand, a nineteen year old school teacher, in a one room school, placed a 10”, 38 star flag in an inkwell and had his students write essays on what the flag meant to them. He called June 14th the flag’s birthday. Stony Hill School is now a historical site. From that day on Bernard J. Cigrand dedicated himself to inspire not only his students but also all Americans in the real meaning and majesty of our flag. The crowning achievement of his life came at age fifty when President Wilson, on June 14, 1916, issued a proclamation calling for a nation wide observance of Flag Day.

Each year J & J Staffing Resources distributes more than 10,000 American flags, across the Delaware Valley, to honor Flag Day. Since our company was founded in 1972, we have given away more than 250,000 flags.

For more information check out www.JJStaff.com