• Recognize and reward them. Stand out employees should be recognized for their contributions to the organization and rewarded as such. Something as simple as a thank you with details as to how they went above and beyond can go a long way. Drivers who are on the road and away from home may appreciate a restaurant gift card in recognition of their efforts.
• Offer them opportunities. Do you have a driver who would prefer to be closer to home? When an opportunity arises consider offering those routes to existing staff before posting for external candidates.
• Show them your organization is committed to them. In a high turnover industry, feeling a sense of job security can have a significant impact on an employee’s morale. Consider placing your drivers names on the outside of their trucks to demonstrate that your organization hopes to maintain them for years to come.
• Tell others that you’re proud of them. Nominate your employees for awards in the industry. Let them and others know that you value their contributions and efforts. The NPTC Driver Hall of Fame is an excellent place to do so. For more information on eligibility and to download an application visit the NPTC here. Applications for 2013 must be received by February 1, 2013.
• Provide a great working atmosphere. Offering newer equipment and clean facilities can be a great enticement for your staff. With recruiting efforts becoming increasingly more aggressive now is the time to brand your organization as one that drivers want to work for. Providing a safe and progressive environment can greatly influence your drivers to stay. Do you feel your private fleet provides an outstanding safety record consider applying for the NPTC Fleet Safety Awards. For more information and an application visit the NPTC here. Applications for 2013 must be received by February 8, 2013.

Creating and maintaining a safe and positive work environment can not only improve employee retention but also decrease accidents, injuries, and equipment damage costs. If you are struggling to retain your drivers consider partnering with a third party consultant or an industry specialized staffing firm for more information on attracting and retaining a safe and stand out staff.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professional drivers? Contact us today! Learn more about our Dedicated Driver Services here! Are you a safe and professional driver who is seeking a rewarding career? Visit us here to locate a driving career in your area!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

While most job seekers make their best efforts to provide an up-to-date resume, many neglect to consider their etiquette in the application and interviewing process. As with any situation, your first impression is usually the most lasting.

Here are a few quick etiquette tips for the application and interview process:

• Follow instructions. Complete the entire application and follow the application process set forth by the employer. Failure to do so is a surefire way to indicate that you don’t take direction well or have trouble paying attention to detail.
• Be polite and professional with everyone. Being demanding is surely not going to get you the results that you desired. Hiring managers often juggle many duties and may not respond as quickly as you would like to your application. Keep in mind receptionists and front desk professionals often are asked questions about your demeanor and are certainly not going to give you a glowing recommendation if you are disrespectful.
• Plan ahead. Being late for the interview, under dressed, and disorganized will quickly let your interviewer know that the interview and their time is not important to you.
• Be available. Not responding to calls and emails in a timely fashion will quickly land your application at the bottom of the stack. If the position isn’t a priority for you now, it likely won’t be if you were to land the job.
• Remember your manners. Remember those magic words you learned as a child such as please and thank you? If you want the position you need to use them! Also hold the door for others and don’t interrupt others while they are speaking. Seems simple? Many job seekers forget these basics in their nervousness.
• Pay attention to the details. Resumes and emails that include misspellings, lack of punctuation, lack of capitalization, or grammatical errors can quickly let someone know that this position or interview is not a priority for you.
• Be there. Appearing to be or being distracted by cell phones or other devices during the interview can be detrimental to your ability to land the position. Leave your tablet, phone, and other devices in the car to show the hiring manager this interview and their time is a priority for you.

Your etiquette as a job seeker speaks volumes of your dependability, interest level, and professionalism. Don’t send the wrong message to employers. Understandably, everyone gets nervous and may act slightly out of character. Take some time to practice how you would respond to interview questions remain confident in your abilities. These small steps can greatly decrease some of the above application and interview blunders. If you are inexperienced in interviewing and could use assistance in the job search process, consider partnering with a reputable staffing firm to assist you in the process.

Are you a stand out professional or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job seekers section for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

• Are You Qualified? If you do not meet the minimum qualifications or requirements of the position, you are far less likely to be considered for the position. Employers are often inundated with applications and resumes in response to their job openings. Want to reach the top of the stack? Make sure you clearly state and demonstrate how you’re qualified for the position.
• Did You Follow The Application Process? With the large volume of responses that hiring managers typically receive for open positions, they create an application process that best allows them to streamline the process while juggling their other responsibilities. Following the application process as instructed can quickly demonstrate your attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. If the job posting asks you to apply online or requests no phone calls, your chances of impressing the employer will quickly decrease if you try to get around the system.
• What Does Your Resume Reflect? Is your resume up to date, clear, and concise? Does it quickly demonstrate your qualifications and professionalism? The average employer spends only 6 seconds reviewing a resume. Make sure your resume is clean, without stains or wrinkles, and quickly demonstrates your skills and abilities at first glance.
• How Was Your Applicant Etiquette? One of the fastest ways to land at the bottom of the applicant list is to be rude or inconsiderate in the application process. Seems like common sense right? While it can be frustrating to not hear back quickly or have an interview booked as soon as you feel it should be, keep in mind hiring managers are often overwhelmed with applicant responses and often juggle other responsibilities. Insulting them, their organization, or their staff can quickly land you out of the running for that and other positions within the organization.
• Did You Follow Up? Regardless of the outcome of your application and interview, follow up is key. Demonstrating respect and professionalism at all steps of the process can help you stand out significantly. Be sure to thank the interviewer for their time, send a follow up thank you card, and even if you are not chosen for the position remain professional. Your follow up after the fact, may land you the first call back if their first choice for the position does not work out for one reason or another.

Remember the job search process is different for everyone. If those around you are landing jobs faster than you avoid the temptation to get frustrated. Skills, abilities, and job availability have a large impact on the time it takes to find your next position. If you are struggling or could use some assistance in your job search process, consider partnering with an industry specialized recruiting firm to help align you with a career that best suits your qualifications and ambitions.

Are you a stand out professional or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job seekers section for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Losing a job, whether it was your dream career or a dead end job can be devastating blow to your emotions. It’s important to process it and move on so you aren’t dragging the excess baggage to your next position. Here are some great starting points.

• Keep it private at first. The anger, hurt, and depression that may come directly following the layoff can be difficult to deal with. Speaking negativity towards your former employer or co-workers can reflect poorly on you. Until you have come to grips with the change, it’s best to keep the news to those you are closest to and can entrust not to gossip outwardly.
• Grieve the loss. Losing the day to day friendships and relationships with co-workers and clients can be difficult to deal with. Be sure to take time for yourself to deal with all of the losses that come with the layoff. Avoid the temptation to vent or rant to these audiences as it can have a negative impact on your personal reputation and future career endeavors.
• Find the positives. In upcoming interviews you’ll need to be able to speak about your layoff without sounding angry or trashing your former employer. Determine the positives from the situation. Does this allow you to find a career with more advancement opportunities? Are you looking forward to a shorter daily commute? Highlight the growth and experiences that you gained during this employment and put your emphasis on these areas.
• Prepare yourself. Now is a great time to cut back on unnecessary expenses. Cutting back early on will better prepare you to handle your finances and not jump into another position just to make ends meet. Often times these are expenses that you can avoid even after taking a new position.
• Do your research. Take some time to determine what you liked most about your previous positions and what you’d like to avoid in future careers. Make a list and tailor your career search around these. Make a list of your greatest professional accomplishments. Be sure to highlight these on your updated resume.
• Seek Professional Assistance. Become familiar with the companies in your area. Who offers the best compensation and benefits? Who has a reputation for being a great employer? Who’s business initiatives best align with your career ambitions? Partnering with a staffing firm or executive recruiter can provide you with great insight to these areas and help you find an organization that best suits your future goals. They can also assist you with resume and interviewing tips.
• Notify your network. Do you have a Linked-In profile? Now would be a great time to update your profile and let your network know you’re seeking your next career. Speak to others who are familiar with your work and see if they have any career recommendations for you.
• Remain confident. It often takes time to land a new position. Avoid letting your frustration show through in interviews and correspondence with others. Now is a great time to show others how well you can deal with pressure.

Dealing with a layoff is sure to be difficult. A great way to improve your likelihood of finding a new career quickly is to remain positive and confident in your skills and accomplishments. If you are struggling to locate a career that is aligned with your goals and ambitions, consider speaking to others in your network or contact an industry specialized staffing firm.

Are you a stand out professional or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job seekers section for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

The FMCSA also reports the following:

• Speed was a factor is 22% of those deaths.
• 2% of the victims had a BAC of .04 or greater
• 4% were impaired, most often by fatigue
• 1/3 were not wearing a seat belt

While the increased number of deaths is startling, the facts surrounding their deaths allows employers the ability to help decrease truck occupant deaths. Enforcing strict safety policies can greatly decrease your risks of accidents and injuries. Offering incentives for drivers who comply with your safety policies also have proven success. Notify drivers that your organization will discipline up to termination for violations of your safety policy. While implementing and enforcing a strict safety policy for drivers can be costly and time consuming, the overwhelming list of direct and indirect costs of an accident, injury, or death are greater.

Some of the more prevalent costs include:

• Cargo Damage
• Vehicle Damage
• Medical Costs
• Insurance Costs
• Loss of Revenue
• Lost Clients
• Lost Time at Work
• Hiring and Training Costs for Replaced Employees
• Government Agency Costs
• Depreciation of Equipment
• Accident Investigation and Reporting Costs
• Equipment Downtime
• Rental Equipment Fees

According to Truckinfo.net , one person is killed or injured in a truck accident every 16 minutes. The recent spike in truck occupant deaths is likely to increase that statistic in the near future. If your organization specializes in something other than logistics, you may considering partnering with a third party logistics firm or a staffing firm who specializes in hiring and managing drivers. The additional legal compliance that are required with employing drivers are no small task. Remaining in compliance is essential to protect your organization and their bottom line. Staffing firms who are specialized in managing drivers often provide additional options, such as dedicated driver services to manage not only recruitment of drivers but also full service employee and compliance management.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professional drivers? Contact us today! Learn more about our Dedicated Driver Services here! Are you a safe and professional driver who is seeking a rewarding career? Visit us here to locate a driving career in your area!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

• Provide a weak first impression. Similar to a first date, your first impression is always the most memorable. Introduce yourself as confident, well prepared, and genuinely interested in the position and the organization. If you haven’t done your research and you seem unenthusiastic by the opportunity at this point, that’s likely to send a strong message to your interviewer.
• Leave your phone on.  Having your phone ring, buzz constantly, or worse yet answering it, is a quick way to send your interviewer the message that the interview is not a priority for you. An interview gives you a short time period to sell the interviewer on why you are the best person for the job; minimize any distractions and keep the focus on you and your skills.
• Answer the questions as if you are speaking to an automated phone system. If your answers are mumbled, short, or you aren’t able to converse on the topic you can quickly send the wrong impression. An interviewer is looking for someone who is knowledgeable and confident in their abilities and strengths for the position. If you are unsure of your ability to perform the duties required, they’ll likely follow suit.
• Know it all. Want to quickly appear like you’re above the job? Don’t ask questions about the organization, the position, the team, and minimize the work they do.
• Know nothing. Keep in mind your interviewer has done their homework. They’ve reviewed your resume, application, and qualifications. Make sure they know that you’ve done yours. Don’t ask what the company does, how long they have been in business, or any other information that can be easily accessed online.
• Don’t follow up. Want to appear like the interview was a waste of your time? Don’t do the following. Close the interview by reaffirming your interest in the organization and the position, thank the interviewer for their time, and follow up with a hand written thank you card.

Take pride in your experience, accomplishments, and knowledge in your field. A job interview is one of the rare occasions when you have to sell someone on your abilities. If interviewing is not one of your areas of strength, consider partnering with an industry experience recruiter who can help walk you through the process.

Are you a stand out professional or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job seekers section for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

Before integrating an employee engagement process, it’s important to understand the benefits. According to a report by Hewitt Quarterly, organizations with high engagement rates are 78% more productive and 40% more profitable than those organizations with low levels of engagement. In addition to increased productivity and profits, employees are 87% less likely to leave for other opportunities. Promoting employee engagement should be a consistent process and include multiple forms of motivation to encourage employees with a wide range of interests and appreciations.

Here are some simple ways to promote employee engagement:

• Ask employees what would make them become more engaged in the workplace.
• Speak with your staff about their career ambitions and find ways to foster those ambitions within your organization.
• Recognize their performance, not their presence.
• Recognize and reward employees for outstanding performance with larger opportunities, room for growth, and tokens of appreciation.

As with any program, it is important to regularly monitor the progress and return on investment of your employee engagement program. Metrics on productivity, attendance, turnover, and overall office morale are great indicators. The direct correlation between employee engagement and increased profits and productivity make it a great investment for organizations of any size.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent? Contact us today!  If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

What does this mean for you as an employer?

• Loss of productivity and business opportunities
• Increased insurance premiums
• Costs of injuries, loss time, and possible replacement of employees
• Decreased employee morale

What does this mean for your employee?

• Lost wages
• Pain
• Temporary or Permanent Disability
• Depression
• Death
• Changes in lifestyle
• Possible inability to return to their career path

The good news is these types of accidents are highly preventable. Simple housekeeping, maintenance, and proper training can greatly decrease the changes of a workplace injury due to slips, trips, and falls.

Here’s what you can do to help!

• Keep all surface areas clean and dry. Winter snow, slush, and water can quickly turn floors slippery.
• Keep aisles and floors clear and in good repair.
• Make sure each stairway has appropriate railing to prevent accidents.
• Remind your staff of the importance of  reporting and who to notify, in case of a spill, leak, or mess that could be dangerous. Keep these areas clearly marked until the hazard has been removed.
• Make sure all entrances are provided with rugs or floor mats to remove water and debris those entering the building.
• Keep walking surfaces clear of cords and hoses.
• Make sure all working and walking areas have appropriate lighting.
• Make sure parking lots are properly maintained, plowed, and salted during the winter months.

While not all slips, trips, and falls are preventable, preventative action can greatly reduce the number of accidents. Encourage your staff to report any unsafe conditions to management immediately and to take pride in their working area for the safety of themselves and others.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent? Contact us today!  If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

The Wall Street Journal reported that social networks accounted for 20% of time spent online in 2011. With the continued growth in 2012, it goes without saying those numbers are only continuing to climb. Their report also shows that social networks reach approximately 82% of the world’s online population, a great audience for those of us who are seeking high demand candidates who are hard to locate.

A recent study from Salary.com gives us some insight to the candidate perspective:

• 72% reported using social connections to find a job
• 38% reported that they were successful in finding a job through social networks
• 24% the largest group, reported that they seek career opportunities on LinkedIn
• 60% listed lack of response as their least favorite part of social networks
• 55% of candidates would prefer a mobile friendly process that takes 10 minutes or less to apply

Making your application process accessible to those on social networks, especially on mobile devices could greatly increase your exposure to technical and professional level candidates. If you are considering implementing social networks into your recruiting process, make sure your process is legally compliant with all local, state, and federal laws. Also make sure that your staff is properly trained and educated on how to remain legally compliant in the process. It is always a great idea to make sure your organization’s social media policy is well defined. For more information on integrating social media in your recruiting process, contact your Labor and Employment Law attorney.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent? Contact us today!  If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.