temp-to-hire

Temp-to-Hire vs Direct Hire: Which is Right for Me?

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If you are looking for a new job, you have probably come across terms such as ‘temp-to-hire’ and ‘direct hire’ in job postings. While there are subtle differences between the two, their true meaning can be somewhat confusing to job seekers.

 

Traditionally, direct hire sounds like the smarter choice, because ‘temporary work’ can often be thought of as open-ended and lacking security. However, the intricacies of each may persuade you to reconsider which direction makes the most sense for your career.

 

Read on for a rundown on the two different (yet similar) employment types, so that you can make an informed decision when looking for your next great job.

 

What is a temp-to-hire?

 

A temporary or contract employee is someone who is brought into a company for a limited period of time. They are usually hired to fill in for employees that are on leave for personal reasons or to help supplement busy work periods, like the holidays.

 

Sometimes, when the temporary worker’s designated duration is over, employers will choose to offer them a full-time position after seeing how well they fit into the role. This is where the term ‘temp-to-hire’ comes in. In these instances, the employee’s stint as a temporary worker can be seen as a test-run for whether or not they will be a good fit with the company. While they are a temporary worker, they are typically still employed by the staffing agency. There are few differences between this, and a standard probation period, beyond semantics.

 

direct-hire

 

What is a direct hire?

 

A direct hire is someone who is hired for a permanent position, usually full-time. They are hired for the long-term right off the bat. The process of employing a direct hire is typically a little bit longer than a temporary one, because the employer has to think more thoroughly about who they want to bring on to their team for the foreseeable future. While a probationary period still exists, there is nevertheless a feeling among the team and new hire that they’re in it for the long hall.

 

Permanent, full-time jobs appeal to a lot of people because of the sense of security associated with them. There are also typically benefits and perks that come along with a full-time role, such as health insurance and paid vacation time. However, as mentioned, permanent roles still require a probationary period to be passed before the employee can enjoy any of the benefits that come with the job. A direct hire can also be let go at any point during the probationary period.

 

Which one should I choose?

 

In a lot of ways, temp-to-hire positions and direct hire positions share a lot of similarities. Both go through some sort of ‘temporary’ phase before being able to reap the benefits of being a full-time employee. Whether it be the ‘temporary’ phase of the temp-to-hire’s path, or the probationary period for the direct hire, there is a certain period of time before an employee truly becomes ‘full-time’.

 

Aside from these technicalities, there are benefits to both types of position. Direct hire work appeals to many because of its inherent permanence. Knowing that you can anticipate having a job for the long-term is very comforting for a lot of people. Alternatively, temporary work is appealing to some because it lacks permanency; many people enjoy not being committed to a contract before they test the waters. These kinds of positions allow individuals to try a variety of work, enjoy flexible schedules and make fast money.

 

Are you looking for a new job in the Houston area? LPC Personnel recruits for many temp-to-hire and direct-hire positions. Reach out today to see if we have something for you!

 

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food-manufacturing

5 Tips to Find and Hire Food Manufacturing Employees

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The food manufacturing industry is thriving. However, finding skilled talent to fill open positions in the industry can sometimes be a challenge. As of August 2018, there were 508,000 open jobs in U.S manufacturing. While this job growth is positive, it also indicates that finding candidates with the right skills to fill these jobs could reach crisis proportions. To accommodate this, companies may have to rethink their current strategies to truly engage and hire brand new talent. Here are a few things you can try!

 

Change the perception of the food manufacturing industry

 

With the baby boomer generation almost ready to retire, manufacturers need to find new, younger talent that is ready to work. The challenge with attracting and hiring these candidates is due in part to their perception about the industry. Manufacturers believe negative perception from students and their parents are one of the reasons causing the current talent shortage, according to Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute’s study in 2018. The study revealed that parents encouraged their children to avoid pursuing a career in manufacturing due to the impression of poor job security and limited career prospects.

So, what can companies do to change this public perception? For starters, companies could partner with local high schools and colleges to educate students about the industry in attempts to shift their mindset. Students may not have the opportunity to become educated about this field, so it is up to the companies themselves to make sure it happens

By educating students on what the work environment looks like and what employees do, you can broaden their knowledge about the industry, potentially shifting it into a more positive light. They’ll gain a better understanding of what the job looks like and what the career prospects are. While this is a long-term recruitment strategy, it is not a bad idea to consider when aiming to improve the image of the industry and grow the workforce.

 

Strengthen your company culture

 

Millennials and Generation Z don’t want to be “faceless” employees—they look for collaborative work environments where they can interact with their managers and coworkers. Furthermore, they appreciate receiving ongoing feedback from their superiors in order to learn and improve their current skillset.

With this in consideration, management can take initiative by encouraging more open communication and collaboration across the team. This could be in the form of more productive meetings or using better technology so that employees can communicate companywide. To foster continuous learning and improvement, consider having one-on-one sessions with employees to discuss their strengths and any potential areas of improvement. Managers can also consider offering training and learning opportunities to maintain a skilled and up-to-date team.

 

food manufacturing

 

Take a chance on hiring inexperienced workers

 

To meet the demand of finding and hiring employees, manufacturers can benefit from taking a chance on hiring inexperienced workers. It is becoming increasingly common for companies to train these employees on the job. According to this New York Times article, Alexandria Industries hired a young man who didn’t have a college degree or a manufacturing background.

The company provided him with technical and leadership training. That was six years ago—today, he has been promoted and says he plans to stay there until he retires. Hiring candidates without the desired skills can be risky, but that risk can often pay off if you find a person with the right personality fit.

 

Employee engagement activities

 

One great way to attract new employees and retain current ones is to organize employee engagement activities. Employees like to know that their work is contributing to the company’s overall vision and success. In addition to telling them that you value their contributions and efforts, it is important to show them as well.

Take the team out for dinner or organize an activity that allows everyone to interact with one another. It enables your employees to view the company as one that cares about their workforce. Even if these outings aren’t frequent, your employees will appreciate the gesture.

 

Work with LPC to help find manufacturing employees

 

At LPC Personnel, we’ve helped companies find and hire manufacturing employees for over 30 years. We take the time to understand what you’re looking for in candidates and provide you with the best of the best.

Do you need help finding quality manufacturing candidates? You’ve come to the right place. Contact us today to get started.

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logistics

How a Strong Logistics Team Improves Your Bottom Line

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With online shopping and an expectation of quick delivery becoming the new norm, businesses need to step up in order to meet customer demands. Business owners know that in order to keep their customers happy, they must deliver exceptional customer service and an unbeatable experience.

 

So, how do you make sure this happens? You can start by looking at the logistics process of your supply chain. Your logistics team is absolutely vital to your business’s success. A combination of a fool-proof logistics process and an experienced team will help your business reach new heights and improve your customers’ overall experience.

 

What is logistics?

 

The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals defines logistics as part of the supply chain process that plans, implements and controls the efficient flow and storage of goods, services and related information. A logistics team manages these materials and information between the point of origin and point of consumption in order to meet the customer’s requirements. One of the key objectives behind logistics is that the customer receives the right product at the right time and place—all at the right quality and price.

 

Logistics and freight transport companies went on a hiring frenzy last year in May. To keep up with the skyrocketing demand in the U.S. shipping markets, they added 18,700 jobs. Now that consumers’ shopping habits have shifted towards e-commerce, companies need more workers and a logistics infrastructure that can support this demand.

 

Why should I care about logistics?

 

Your logistical process plays an important factor in your company’s profitability. While logisticians manage the movement of materials and goods, they’re also responsible for identifying any potential areas of improvement. They understand how to move products better, at a lower cost, as well as solve problems quickly and creatively as they arise.

 

With so much choice available on the market, when you fail to meet your customer’s demands, they will quickly turn to your competitors. Customers want high quality products at the right price, but they also expect quality customer service from start to finish. Regardless of whether your customers are purchasing your products online or offline, your products and delivered experience need to meet your customer’s expectations. When you have a professional and experienced logistics team on hand, you can feel assured that they will help you achieve these critical business objectives.

 

logistics

 

How a great logistics team improves your business

 

It’s five times more expensive to acquire a new customer than it is to retain an existing customer. By increasing your customer retention rates by just 5%, you can increase your profits by 25 to 95%. Considering this, customer retention should be at the top of your priority list. If you consistently deliver the quality products and service that your customers know and love, they are more likely to stay loyal to you.

Let’s take online orders as an example. Customers like the convenience of being able to track their orders and receiving up-to-date alerts about them. If there are any delays due to weather or unforeseen events, customers appreciate being kept in the know. Your logistics team should have access to this type of information, which can make all the difference in the customer’s experience. When you keep your customers in the loop by offering special services and promotions, it is an easy way to strengthen your customer’s loyalty to you.

Lastly, logistics professionals develop partnerships with suppliers and secure competitive rates for materials and services. They identify and implement processes that are more efficient and strive to reduce business costs. They do all of this while still delivering quality products and services to customers – we can’t think of a reason to not want an amazing logistics team by your side.


What qualities should I look for in candidates for logistics jobs?

 

With so many changing and moving parts in this line of work, you need people with the right qualities and skills on your logistics team. When interviewing candidates for this role, take note of the qualities and skills listed below:

 

  • Managerial skills
  • Teamwork and collaboration skills
  • Strong time management skills
  • Strong problem solving and decision-making skills
  • Negotiation skills
  • IT skills to manage electronic data
  • Logical and organized approach to work (especially)

 

When operating a business, we know that finding the best people to hire can be challenging and time-consuming. Get in touch with us today if you need help! As well as knowing the right qualities required to build a powerhouse team, we also understand what candidates want from their employers, and can help find the perfect match.

 

Contact us today to find and hire quality candidates

 

At LPC Personnel, we specialize in finding top talent within the logistics industry. We’ve been doing this for over 30 years, so it is safe to say we understand your business needs and the type of talent you’re looking for. Contact us today so we can help you find your ideal candidate.

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temporary work

10 Huge Advantages of Temporary Work

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Temporary workers are on the rise in popularity. A sector of employment that was once looked down upon as ‘not as good’ as full-time or permanent work, temporary or contract work is becoming more and more commonplace. A whopping 15 million workers in the U.S. were considered to be contract or temporary in 2017, and that number is on the steady incline. Another study showed that most jobs created in the last ten years in the U.S. were of the contract, alternative nature, while a poll taken by NPR indicated that 1 in 5 jobs held in the U.S. were under contract. With all of these stats indicating that the temporary workforce is on the rise, there must be some huge benefits to taking a less traditional career approach.

At LPC Personnel, we take pride in helping job seekers find their next position, and with the current state of the contract-heavy job market, this often this means recruiting for temporary positions. So whether you are looking for some temporary work in between full-time positions or looking to make the switch to ‘full-time temporary’, here are our top 10 advantages to temporary or contract work.

  1. Enjoy Flexibility

By definition, temporary work is exactly that: temporary. Less commitment is required from its workers, it often does not abide by the typical 9-5 work week, and is more accommodating to individual availability. This allows more wiggle room with start dates, end dates and unexpected changes in availability, all which serve to suit you better. It also allows you to put more time into searching for a more permanent role.

  1. Free to Take Time Off

 

Typically, permanent jobs require weeks of notice before scheduling time off, and sometimes those requests can be rejected if more than one employee wants the same block of time off. In contrast, getting time off from temporary employment is as simple as not re-signing a contract. The flexibility of having a healthy work-play balance is very appealing to a lot of job seekers, and is definitely a huge draw to contract work.

  1. Multiple Profit Streams

 

In addition to temporary work being flexible, it also opens up the doors to a new type of income that is increasingly popular in today’s workforce: multiple profit streams. The traditional 9-5 isn’t for everybody and it is very common for people to have multiple sources of income, and having the flexibility of temporary work allows for more time to pursue different ventures. In fact, some people turn multiple contract or part-time positions into their long-term career structure.

  1. Filling Resume Gaps

 

It’s no secret that large gaps of time on resumes don’t exactly look good to employers. Regardless of the reason, it does invite some questions that could easily be avoided with temporary work. Even if the temp work is not in keeping with the field of rest of your resume, it shows that you made a choice to not take a large amount of time off from working in between jobs, showing hard-work and dedication – key characteristics to almost every employer.

  1. Work Towards Full-Time Work

 

Doing contract work can also help turn those temporary resume gap-fillers into full time positions. A temporary job may not necessarily lead to a full-time position with the same company, but a series of contracts in a similar field will eventually build a body of work that could make you qualified for a permanent job in that industry. Remember, temporary work no longer has the same stigma it once had – it is legitimate, necessary and important work.

temporary work

  1. Find Your Career Calling

 

Sometimes, temporary work isn’t necessarily aligned with your career aspirations. But other times, it can help steer you in directions that you had never considered before! Whether it helps you decide that this is definitely something you want to pursue, or definitely something you do not want to pursue, the commitment-light nature of temp work can allow you to test-drive a few different options and help you pin-point what your true career calling might be.

  1. Learn New Skills

 

Sometimes temp work will be in a very particular industry, but the job doesn’t necessarily require past experience in that field. This means you can learn a new set of skills that you probably would not be exposed to under different circumstances. Even if you don’t use them in your next career move, there is virtually no downside to learning a new skill. You never know when it may come in handy!

 

  1. Enjoy a Variety of Work

 

Doing the same job for years can be ideal for some people, but to others, it can quickly become mundane and boring. Contract work allows you to try out a variety of different types of work without committing to a full-time employment. Perhaps you have a background in retail sales, but want to get your hands dirty with some manual labour, or maybe you want to experience office culture – the variety of temporary work knows no limits!

  1. Expand Your Network

 

If you’re taking a temporary position to supplement your income or keep you busy while looking for a more permanent role, use it as a chance to network with others who may be in the same situation. Be sure to connect with your managers, too – even if you move on from a temporary job, you can at least lock in a good reference for your next interview.

  1. Good Money

 

If you are bridging the gap between permanent positions, temporary work is certainly a good way to ensure a paycheck is coming in every week. And due to the often urgent nature in which temp workers are needed, it can be really good, and sometimes better, compensation overall than a permanent placement.

Think you’re ready to take on the world of contract work? Feel free to reach out to a recruiter at LPC Personnel to find your next temporary position.