The Trickle Down Effect and You

I don’t think people realize how widespread this effect is in life. It can be demonstrated in almost every situation that arises and really just explains a ton of trends we see. I mean, every decision someone makes will have an end result or long term consequence, a.k.a. the trickle down effect. And I think we also don’t take into consideration, those effects when making decisions. 

Let’s look at business and jobs as an example. These industries are delicate things; the tiniest bump can send them out of control. The economy is basically a circle; people work, make money, spend that money on other things that other people have a job to make and around and around it goes. If those jobs are no longer available, those people no longer have money in which to spend on other peoples’ good and services, which then forces those businesses to let go of some of their employees. It’s a viscous cycle, a negative yet good example of the trickle down effect. 

The good news is that it can be reversed, to go the other way in a positive manner. If we can stop overseas outsourcing, for example, and create/inspire/leave jobs here in America, the trickle down effect will work for us. If we can stop laying off our employees (which actually hurts the business in the long run (but that’s another story)), then we can provide that crucial first step in offsetting that downward spiral also known as the trickle down effect.  

Anyone else have ideas/comments/suggestions?

-Frank Viarra

When the Economy Recovers, Who to Hire?

When job openings start to return to normal levels, who will be the lucky ones to find work? Will it be new college graduates or experienced employees? How about executive level managers taking a pay cut, or the guy who’s been there forever; they all have their pros and cons.

The important thing for employers to remember is not to get caught up in the immediacy of trying to hire people. You have to think about the long term investment you’re making with these hires. Experienced people that are hiring for a “lesser” position, who are taking a pay cut may decided to leave once the market really gets back and running, for a higher salary. And if you can’t afford to give them that salary, you’ll be looking to hire yet again in a few months. 

The trouble with hiring new grads or inexperienced applicants is that it may take them longer to adjust and get into the swing of things. However, they are more likely to stay with your company; thereby actually saving you money in the long run. It costs money while a new employee is in the training phases of the job and the more times you do it, the more money you lose. 

I could go on and on about the good and bad things about hiring the different candidates who will come out of the woodwork once the job market opens up again. But I won’t because you can do it just as well. Just remember to cover all your bases; think things out. Consider the future and the bottom line. 

- Frank Viarra 

Just You - Why You're enough

Hi, all. My name is Susan and I work at Real Life Recruiting. You can read all about me at www.realliferecruiting.com if you're interested. Anyway, Frank wanted the staff to feel free to write something if we felt inclined and well, I do today.

I wanted to talk about getting a job, (well what else is there?) and how you don't necessarily need to have ALL the skills they list in their description. Why not, you ask? Because it's more the attitude that gets you hired than anything else. I mean, unless you're going for a job that requires specific skills like a doctor or software engineer or something. Let me give you an example. 

My roommate in college had never been a waitress but when she needed to find a job our sophomore year, she went to a huge job fair for a resort that was about to open. She was honest with the director and, as her personality was quick to show, outgoing, friendly and positive. He decided to hire her on the spot saying that, "you can always teach someone a skill, but you can't teach personality."

And this is true for any job that you are hired for. You'll be shown the process you have to use, how to work any databases or programs the company utilizes and all of that fun stuff. So, have faith, know that just you're enough with, or without your skills. 

-Susan Berry

Why Layoffs Aren’t Always the Answer

As I work for a recruiting/staffing company, we get a lot of questions and concerns about layoffs. We also get a lot of business from them, as those people are now looking for jobs. So, while we do profit from the dreaded layoff, it’s actually not the best practice for the company that carries them out. Companies that wait out the economic downfall instead of laying off their employees or at least use it as a desperate measure, fair far better in the long run. 

And here’s why. It takes about a year, give or take, for companies to see any savings from the layoffs they perform; it’s not the instant money making technique that people seem to think it is. Secondly, it takes a lot of time and money to look for, hire, and train new employees once the economy turns around. This cuts into the money they thought they were saving with the layoffs and almost renders it obsolete. 

Lastly, productivity almost always goes down when a company executes a layoff. This also factors into the amount of money lost when layoffs are performed. So layoffs aren’t always the answer; but if you are the victim of one, remember that recruiting agencies can help find you work. 

-Frank Viarra

Real Life Recruiting - Real Life Being the Operative Word

I know I’ve talked a lot about job openings lately but well, that is my job. And the outlook of the employment field in general is ever-changing. The hiring and firing trends are constantly evolving and I’m just trying to keep up with them. And I feel it’s my duty certainly, to post positive changes because we need positive things in our lives. 

So, what I’ve found is that while layoff’s are going on out there, there are also hiring’s within those same companies. What’s happening is this: companies are laying off employees in certain departments, product lines, etc. because those dept’s, product lines, etc. aren’t doing well. Other parts of the company may be doing very well, however and those are the areas in which the company will have to capitalize in, order to make a profit. 

 What we’re seeing is a switch in who people are hiring; an industry switch if you will. And this change is sweeping across the country; hiring tendencies will be changing to what they’ve traditionally been the last few years. 

So I don’t know if that helps or hurts you, in particular, but either way there is hiring going on. And that’s always a good thing. 

- Frank Viarra

What Goes Up Must Come Down

There is so much talk about the economy and unemployment right now, in every facet of news media; online, newspapers, TV, general conversation… And I agree, it’s been very tough. There is one thing you can count on though, when things are bad. “Bad” is relative; in order to have bad, there must somewhere be “good”. And I promise to show you a glimpse of the good.

I want to make one more point before I let you in on the only good thing about this situation. It’s the fact that things often get worse before they get better. And I think we are in the worse phase, which also has its good and bad. At least things will be getting better, sooner than they were six months ago. At this point, we are closer to the light at the end of the tunnel.

So, where is this good I speak of? Well, it’s actually a law of science; what goes up must come down. When the unemployment rate rises, (and especially with our current economic situation), government officials are frenziedly trying to find a way to create jobs and help the economy get back on track. So the unemployment rate will come back down. Now I realize this doesn’t help at the moment but it will eventually get better. And when it does, more jobs will be available than they otherwise would have been and people will be getting jobs left and right. 

Something else you may not have thought of: people retire and get fired everyday. There are jobs out there. Think about all the baby boomers that will be retiring in the near future, they’ll have to be replaced. And even if the company waits while this recession is going on, those positions will need to be filled at some point. 

I think the phrase of the day becomes hang on, dear job seekers! If you’ve made it this far, you’re going to make it. And it’s only a matter of time. Never underestimate the power of positive thinking.

- Frank Viarra

New Thought for a New Week Real Life Recruiting Style

It occurred to me, over the weekend, that maybe I am not the only person in the office that knows this business and wants to say something. That is why I’ve decided to let anyone from the company who has a great blog thought, to blog. Besides, they say that diversifying is the way to go; no? 

So, my readers, don’t be surprised if you see co-workers’ names at the end of the blogs; they may just happen to have a better idea than me. And it would be counter-productive and just plain stupid of me to squash their creative juices. 

Now, as there are disclaimers with most things, I have to say that I don’t necessarily agree with, promote and/or accept what my fellow co-workers may have to say. I am, however, trusting their judgment not to get me into too much trouble.

 So, see you around. Possibly later, rather than sooner. 

- Frank Viarra