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The Best Methods for Attracting Candidates to Your Logistics Jobs

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Finding quality candidates should be a top priority for any company. Candidates that are engaged and motivated at their jobs are linked to higher job satisfaction, higher retention rates and overall productivity and profitability. The value of qualified candidates is undeniable – but how can you attract them to your jobs?

 

There is no one way to get candidates interested in your open positions, but some methods are more effective or appropriate than others. It depends on the industry, demographic and the position, and can also require a significant amount of trial and error, but we can all agree that the ‘post and pray’ method should be left in the past.

 

From the traditional to the modern, here are some of the best methods for attracting candidates to your logistics jobs.

 

Write a Great Job Description

 

It sounds simple, but writing an excellent job description is instrumental in getting candidates excited about your positions. This is the first impression your prospects will have of the position, and in some cases, your company in general, so illustrating it in an enticing way is very important. Especially in an industry that is as competitive as logistics, you have to do all that you can to make your brand stand out from the rest.

 

Aside from the technical requirements of the positions, some other aspects you can include in your job description are:

 

  • Compensation and perks
  • Information about company culture
  • Company history and reputation

 

Staffing agencies can not only help you compose these descriptions, but they can ensure they get seen by the right people and on the right job boards. Don’t just write the bare minimum – you are trying to sell not only the job, but your company and your values as a whole!

 

Tap Into Professional Networks

 

Sometimes, the best logistics candidates aren’t actively looking for jobs, but you would still like to alert them to your company and jobs. Around 70% of job seekers consider themselves to be passive, but 87% of those job seekers would be open to the right possibility if it came along. Building an online presence and connecting with passive candidates on platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram can help you to build a rapport with them and give them an idea of your company. When they are ready to look for employment, your company will be the first that comes to mind!

 

Recruiters are great additions to any professional network: by the very nature of their jobs, they have countless candidates on hand that could be perfect for your positions, so keeping them close is a smart move.

 

logistics jobs candidates

 

Consider Employer Brand

 

Many of today’s job seekers don’t just want a paycheck – they want to work for a company with a great reputation, competitive perks and strong workplace culture. These are all elements of the employer brand, and maintaining a positive one is a crucial aspect of attracting candidates to your open positions. In addition to the way your jobs are seen, the way that you are seen as an employer is very important in gaining the trust of job seekers and getting them excited to work for you.

 

Professionals working in the staffing and recruiting sector know job seekers better than anyone, and they can lend a hand tapping into what exactly it is your prospective candidates are looking for in an employer, giving you that competitive edge.

 

Work With a Staffing Agency

 

Staffing agencies are one of the best professional partners to have on your side when attracting candidates to your logistics jobs. They bridge the gap between job seeker and employer and understand what both parties need, allowing them to make matches that are long-lasting and cohesive. Also, when you are hiring for volume, staffing agencies can be beneficial when you don’t have the time or resources to find talent yourself.

 

A specialized agency such as LPC Personnel that has experience in your specific field has a deep understanding of the industry and what qualities a strong logistics team consists of, allowing them to  present your positions to prospective candidates in a strategic and attractive way.

 

Are you looking to add some talent to your logistics operation? If so, give LPC Personnel a call – we have over 30 years of industry experience in the Greater Houston Area and would be happy to lend a hand. Contact us today.

 

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The Top Skills to Look For When Hiring Logistics Candidates

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The supply chain and logistics industry is one that is complex and constantly evolving. As such, managers must carefully select the employees they choose to represent their company and contribute to a functional and productive place of work.

 

Finding qualified candidates is the first step in ensuring you run a successful business, and the traits which make the ideal employee stretch far beyond their technical skills and work experience. Personality traits, soft skills and overall demeanor need to be taken into account when evaluating a candidate. Working with an experienced staffing agency with a background in staffing logistics companies is a great way to source a higher caliber of talent.

 

If you are looking to add some new staff to your logistics operation, there are certain skills that top candidates possess that will add value to your bottom line.

 

Motivated

 

The logistics industry is a multifaceted industry with lots of opportunity for upwards mobility and self-improvement. Professionals working in this sector should be focused on their own advancement, as well as the furtherment of the big picture. Logistics expert Alex Lauderdale says “The job is not only to understand logistics and the supply chain, but to also know the scope and dynamics of your company’s goals so you can assist with the processes put in place to achieve them.”

 

Having someone on your team that is motivated is a good trait regardless of the industry. However, in the realm of logistics, having someone who is passionate and dedicated to learning and growing, not only individually but as part of the overall effort, is someone you definitely want on your roster.

 

Team Player

 

A supply chain has multiple moving parts, each essential to the success of the overall execution. In this respect, logistics employees need to be able to work well with others and collaborate successfully with different departments in order to get the job done.

 

Along with being a team player comes a number of related interpersonal skills, such as communication skills and flexibility. Good logistics employees should be able to communicate effectively and professionally with everyone from warehouse staff to suppliers to management and any role in between. They should also have a certain degree of flexibility to adapt to the frequent changes the logistics industry can often face, all while remaining a strong member in a team effort.

 

logistics workers lpc personnel

 

Problem Solving & Decision Making

 

Like most industries, there will be days where things just simply don’t go as planned. Great logistics employees will remain calm under pressure and use their problem solving skills to creatively arrive at solutions.

 

The ability to make sound decisions in a timely manner – and the responsibility to hold themselves accountable for making those decisions – is also incredibly important. Great problem-solving skills often come from real-world experience. A great way to elucidate whether a candidate’s problem-solving abilities are up to par is to ask them a series of situational interview questions and see how creatively and confidently they respond.

 

Attention to Detail

 

Arriving at the bottom line can’t happen without getting the little details right first. Employees that pay attention to the little things just as much as the big picture are the ones you want on your side.

 

Considering the complexity of some logistics operations, you want to ensure the employees you bring on have a keen attention to detail. A small mistake in one department could lead to a big problem down the line. Everyone makes mistakes – but workers with a well-developed sense of attention to detail are simply less likely to make them.

 

It can sometimes be difficult to find reliable candidates that possess even one or two of these traits – let alone all of them! However, working with a staffing agency makes it that much easier. Candidates that are recruited through a staffing agency such as LPC are dedicated, motivated and hardworking – we won’t present you with someone that we don’t truly believe is a good fit for your business. In addition, all of our candidates are pre-screened, drug tested and briefed on safety preparation, so that you can get right to work.

You can count on LPC to provide you the best logistics candidates – contact us today to find out more!

 

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Short-Staffed? 4 Reasons Why a Staffing Agency is Your Best Bet

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Every now and then, the staff you have on hand for certain projects just isn’t enough manpower to get the job done properly. Being short-staffed can be inconvenient and stressful: finding reliable, hard-working candidates on a time crunch isn’t always a walk in the park.

 

Whether you need a few people to fill in temporarily, or a larger number to help with a special project, working with a staffing agency like LPC Personnel can ensure that you experience no productivity loss. Here is why partnering with a staffing agency is your best bet when you find yourself short-staffed.

 

A Time-Sensitive Option

 

Staffing agencies that have experience filling temporary positions understand the urgency that accompanies being short-staffed. As an employer, you have a lot of priorities which can sometimes push hiring to the backburner, and you may not have several weeks to source and hire a candidate yourself.

 

Experienced staffing agencies have deep talent pools to work with and can often have a position filled that day. Also, if you know you will be needing extra hands on deck ahead of time, staffing agencies can have someone lined up to make a seamless talent transition, so that you never miss a beat.

 

Ensure Quality of Hire

 

Just because you might only need a temporary worker for a short amount of time, doesn’t mean that the quality of your employees should suffer. At LPC, we only work with candidates that are pre-screened, trustworthy and reliable, and we can even assist with their safety preparation and drug screening. All of this considered, we will never present our partners with candidates that we don’t believe are a good fit or that will affect your stability as an operation.

 

It’s also a good idea to partner with an experienced specialized staffing agency that works in your geographical area and has connected talented candidates close to your operation. Having someone on your side that knows exactly what to look for in candidates for your specific industry will make finding the right hire that much easier.

 

short staff staffing agency lpc personnel

 

Contact for the Future 

 

If you have been short-staffed once, chances are it will happen again – employees can get sick, go on vacation or move on to different jobs…all of which can leave you in a tight spot! Working with a staffing agency once means that you have them in your professional network for the next time you need some extra hands.

 

The more we work with a client, the better we learn their needs when it comes to filling open positions – it’s a relationship that only improves with time!

 

There is no downside to too much networking, and having someone in your contact list that can get you out of a tough situation offers many benefits. Especially as we embark into a brand-new hiring landscape that may present unknown challenges, having an expert on your side can give you some welcomed peace of mind.

 

Open Communication

 

At the end of the day, our goal is always the same: find the perfect candidate and match them with deserving clients. Working with a staffing agency means that you can communicate exactly what you are looking for in an employee and trust that we will do everything within our power to make a placement that works.

 

Need help with finding your next team member? LPC Personnel has been staffing the Greater Houston Area for over 30 years and would be happy to lend a hand. Contact us today.

 

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4 Ways to Improve Your Logistics Business Practices During COVID-19

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The outbreak COVID-19 has affected virtually every professional realm in some way. In the world of logistics and supply chain, a handful of businesses have thrived (and increased warehouse and fulfillment roles) but global supply chains and long-distance transportation have been interrupted for the time being.

 

We are thankfully starting to make our way back to a fully operational economy, but this slower period is not necessarily a time to relax. Instead, taking advantage of a relative downtime and giving your business practices a revamp is a great idea, so that when things return to normal you can hit the ground running.

 

There are several ways that you can continue to improve and innovate your operations while the world is on pause. Read on for our top four ways to improve your logistics business practices during COVID-19.

 

Review Safety Protocols

 

The outbreak of COVID-19 has taken us all by surprise and has instilled a heightened need for safety and wellbeing. Now is a great time to review your health and safety protocols and best practices and communicate to your current and future team members that their safety is your number one priority.

 

A safe workplace environment, relative to prevention of infectious diseases and physical injury, will be at the top of every candidate’s list when looking for a new position. Considering that logistics and warehouse are industries that can already present a number of safety concerns, taking the time to review and address each and every one of them will reflect positively on you as an employer, and help you to stand out from companies that may be falling short.

 

Keep Lines of Communication Open

 

Amidst a crisis that seemingly changes by the minute, communicating changes and updates to your staff, your customers and your colleagues is of utmost importance. Especially in an industry such as logistics, where there are many moving parts and coordination with different departments and suppliers, staying on top of communication is non-negotiable.

 

Take the time to develop streamlined and concise methods of communication to use during a crisis, so the next time something disrupts your operations, you can begin reaching out and covering your bases with no time wasted.

 

warehouse lpc

 

Revisit Your Business Plan and Expenses

 

Regardless if your logistics business has been positively or negatively affected by the outbreak, it is very likely that there has been a shift in one direction or another. Whether that means a loss or increase of revenue, manpower, or operation hours, it would be wise to adjust your business plan accordingly.

 

Taking some time to mindfully reallocate funds and resources here and there depending on the realities of your current situation (and the situations that may arise in the next few months) is very important. Preparing for any of the changes before they happen and giving yourself some wiggle room is good sense, especially after seeing how COVID-19 has already affected the business world.

 

Check in on Employees – and Yourself

 

This rapidly changing climate is affecting us all in different ways. Checking in on your current employees in this uncertain time will paint you in a positive light, and it’s also just a nice thing to do. Showing empathy is one of the best ways to not only maintain a good relationship with your employees, but it also increases retention rates – and in a somewhat volatile job market, you want to make sure your employees feel heard and seen.

 

And last, but certainly not least, take some time to check in on yourself. Leading a team through a pandemic is stressful and doing so is no easy feat. Most of us are all figuring it out as we go, so don’t be too hard on yourself if things get tough. We’re all in this together!

 

Are you looking to add some new employees to your logistics operation? It’s one of our specialities. Whether you need one team member or twenty, you can count on us to find the perfect match. Reach out to us today.

 

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