All posts by Morgan Hennessy

Having a digital footprint online is mandatory for business growth and success in today’s social media dominate world.  37% of the world’s entire population uses social media; (that’s 2.8 billion people)!  Startup businesses looking to gain recognition must understand the major social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, (to name a few), the demographics they serve, and the best way to use them for building a customer base and loyal following.   Social media is a unique resource that is easy and mostly free to use, so new businesses have a great advantage compared to the past.   Here are some important data points to consider when using the top 3 major platforms: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn…

Age is just a number…

Yet young adults between ages 18-29 are using social media the most in general.  The graph below via Pew Research Center indicates, however, the trend for older adults using social media has increased in recent years.  The age factor is the only factor that seems to vary when measuring demographics of people who use social media.  Young users dominate, yet people of all ages, careers, and education levels use social media in general. Recent data does also shows that most people (28% of internet users) only use 1 platform.  Keep this in mind before posting out content or job opportunities.  You want to make sure you are sharing relevant content and job opportunities to the correct social platform that will reach people most relevant to your cause.

Facebook remains king…

Facebook is still the most-widely used social media site across the internet population.  Users between the ages of 45-54 are using it most, representing 21% of total time spent on the platform compared to any other age group.  Facebook is free to use, and companies can set up business pages that provide key insights into website traffic, audience reach, and with 1.19 billion Facebook users, will increase company exposure.  For the majority of Facebook users, the average time spent on Facebook is about 20 minutes.  This is huge for business exposure, and if content is posted daily, your followers are highly likely to see your posts and engage.

Twitter 

Twitter is a unique platform that allows users to reach audiences within seconds and using only 140 characters.  Often considered a site catering to “news junkies,” Twitter is also a great (and free) platform to use for employer branding and connecting to people within specific industries directly. The use of hashtags with the ability to “attach” a person’s Twitter username to posts using the “@” symbol can help with marketing, networking, and communicating with prospects.  Industry-specific content with proper use of hashtags can reach thousands of people within seconds.  Retweets of your content will increase that number even more.  Twitter is all about learning what keywords are commonly used with hashtags and applying these to your posts so those searching that keyword will see your message.   It’s important to note that Twitter users spend only about 3 minutes per day on the site – a drastic difference compared to Facebook users.  That’s why it’s important to also discover the best days and time to post to Twitter to receive the highest impressions possible (read more on that here).

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the leading social media platform that hosts millions of professional profiles across all industries. With a whopping 106 million users per month, LinkedIn users are less likely to use any other social media platform (take note).  Building a company page on LinkedIn can help highlight what makes your company special: company culture, the industry you serve, and also what makes you unique (and attractive to prospects looking for a new opportunity).  LinkedIn also provides businesses a career page linking interested applicants to jobs so they can apply instantly.

Manage Them All…

Hootsuite is a helpful social network management tool with a free option allowing you to post content on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn while keeping track of progress.  You can schedule posts to push live on specific days and times of the week and select the platform(s) you’d like content to be posted.  Here’s a great article detailing the benefits of Hootsuite.

A good HR professional is a “people person.” After all, your field requires you to interact with or learn about people all day long. However, there are defining factors and skill sets that make the difference between a good Human Resource professional and a great one. Here are some HR tips.

Good communication

Although your job might consist of reading over applications all day, clear and effective communication is still necessary. People will approach you with numerous questions and even complaints. A big part of Human Resources is being able to handle whatever people may throw at you. Good communication involves careful listening, understanding, and problem solving.

Technology-savvy

A strong understanding of technology is required in almost all fields of work today, but in HR being tech-savvy will give you a huge leap in your career. Being well-versed in technology means not only hiring through online software such as an ATS, but also being engaged with social media. According to a Glassdoor survey, 79% are likely to use social media in their job search.

Additionally, 75% of hiring and talent managers use either applicant tracking or recruiting software to improve their hiring process. You certainly do not want to be the 10% to 15% that do not implement social media or HR software. Not only will your business benefit, but the hiring process will be significantly less stressful.

Growth-minded

Being a part of a small business can be wonderful, however in the HR department you need to constantly be thinking of the future. As your business grows you must be able to adapt. Being prepared for growth and change is essential as an HR professional. You must be ready to hire and work with new employees.

Whether you are hiring, screening, or interviewing, perfecting these skills will help you become a great HR professional.

Sifting through paper and emailed resumes is tedious and unorganized.  An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software Human Resource tool that automates this and all other aspects of the recruiting process.  Here are 3 ways how an ATS will make your HR department more efficient.

Reduce the Amount of HR Tasks

When hiring, the HR department is weighed down with many tasks.  From creating the job details, posting on job board, reviewing candidates, and interviewing.  It can get pretty hectic.  With recruiting software, the workload lightens as an ATS does all of the hard work like posting on job boards and organizing applications for you.

Find Quality Candidates

With the help of an ATS it is easier to find high quality candidates.  There is nothing more frustrating than bringing in unqualified candidates for interviews.  This could be a big waste of time and money while looking to fill an open job opening.  With features that help sort through candidates by automatically removing unqualified applications to seamlessly sending candidates to co-workers for approval, it has never been easier to increase the efficiency the quality of candidates.  

Smooth Onboarding Process

Once you have found the right person for the job, it’s time for the onboarding process to begin.  This could be a headache for both the new employee and the company.  There is usually a lot of stress to get all the necessary paperwork filled out and submitted before the first day of work.  Sending the paperwork via email or giving hard copies could be delay the process.  With an ATS, an onboarding portal eliminates this by sending e-forms that can be filled out online and submitted in real time, ensuring that all forms are taken care of prior to the employee’s first day.

Modernize your recruitment process by investing in an ATS.  All of the reasons why an ATS is right for your company listed above are available on Pereless Systems’ easy to use Applicant Tracking System.  To learn more request a free demo today!

Job boards have taken over online recruiting. It is less and less common for a job applicant to seek out a specific company when looking for a new position. For this reason, some companies have been struggling to keep their job applications numbers on the rise.

If you’ve missed Google’s recent addition, you’ve missed out on a huge hiring opportunity.

Google for Jobs

Previously, an applicant could type in the job industry and location that would fit their needs and different job boards would pop up on Google.

However, Google for Jobs has now eliminated that crucial one step and has funneled all of the job boards to one place.

Instead of job boards, there may be a sponsored post at the top but it is immediate followed by Google’s own version of a job board – a true disruption for the recruiting industry.

Aside from the highlighted 3-4 jobs that appear on the homepage, candidates can click a link and view more.

Google for Jobs

How can you be seen on Google for Jobs?

It is unclear exactly what algorithm Google for Jobs is using to choose which jobs appear in their ranking order but it seems that the distribution of job boards is fairly even. Still, it is important to make sure that your company takes advantage of this new opportunity.

It can be difficult for HR managers to stay on top of these technological trends, especially when managing multiple job boards, openings, applicants, interviews, screening processes, etc. An applicant tracking system and talent acquisition software can streamline the hiring process.

Not only will this type of system post the jobs online and track analytics from clicks and applies, it goes a few steps further by allowing hiring managers to search, import, tag, contact and organize candidates.

Once a candidate is chosen, ATS like Pereless also include an onboarding portal which aids companies with digital paperwork, tasks, and communication with the candidates up until the day they officially become an employee.

Google for Jobs

Social media recruiting has recently grown in popularity.  More and more companies are gearing up to find quality candidates via social media.  The social media takeover is sweeping the nation and has now moved over into the recruitment world.  

80% of job seekers will use social media to help them in the job search.  

It is important to get on board the social media recruiting train because it gives companies access to the most diverse candidate pool possible.

It is proven that jobseekers are more likely to apply for a position if the company is actively updating and managing their social media accounts. It is important to actively manage and post on your social media platforms because it shows jobseekers a good company culture and work environment.

The biggest platform that companies are using is LinkedIn; this is where companies are seeing the best results for hiring candidates.

It is apparent that using social media can really boost your applicant pool, giving you the most options when hiring a candidate.  In today’s day and age, everyone uses their phones and social media for just about everything.

Isn’t it time to bring your recruiting into the modern day?

Almost all successful companies plan to use social media for their recruiting and are investing serious money in their social recruiting.  Join the movement and use your social media accounts to make your hiring process the best it can be.  As candidates get younger, the more social media will play a factor in the recruitment process.

The job application process can be extensive, and mostly everything is digital. Having a reliable ATS is essential, however there are a number of precautions to take when writing a job posting.

DO: Write a good job description

You want to be clear and concise in your job description. When writing a job posting, do not focus so much on buzzwords, but rather the essential details. Include key responsibilities of the job and be specific with what you are looking for. This is your opportunity to draw in ideal candidates!

DON’T: Start hiring before you are prepared

You want to make sure that you have the right accommodations to expand your business and take on new employees. Growth is great, but you must have a clear idea of what you need and what is a financially sound choice for your company. Take your time.

DO: Go through your own application

A study found that nearly 40% of recruiters and hiring managers had not gone through the job application process on their own website to test it out. Self-testing the job application is a great way to find any flaws and to make any necessary improvements.

DON’T: Make the application excessively lengthy

The same survey found that 60% of applicants thought an online application was too complex or long in the past and quit it. As mentioned in the first “DO”, keep it clear and concise. A somewhat long application is perfectly fine in order to be thorough, but at a certain point applications can simply become far too extensive. To avoid applicants quitting or getting frustrated, you need a good ATS.

DO: Have the best ATS possible

Hiring is difficult enough as is, and having an unreliable hiring software only adds to the pressure. A user-friendly applicant tracking system allows for easy and effective recruiting. An ATS automates the recruitment process and features can include resume sorting, access to job postings on hundreds of job boards, and onboarding documents and processes.

Hiring the right candidates is essential in growing your company. Take the pressure off by having a good ATS and following these Do’s and Don’ts.

As a company who focuses on recruiting and Human Resource technology, we take pride in our ability to find the best candidate for every position. With the relevance of equality in the workplace, Pereless Systems analyzed our own team dynamic and found that our company is powered equally (1:1) by men and women. In total, our gender split is off by one single employee. 

What does this mean for our internal dynamic? Some members of our team spoke about what it means to them.

“I’ve worked for a variety of companies with a variety of dynamics. I knew the best place for me was an environment where my gender would be no obstacle. At Pereless, I am very grateful for the opportunities I’ve been provided as part of the balanced team and urge new graduates to consider this when looking for their first jobs.”

This distribution remains true throughout the entire company – up to and including the management level.

“I’ve been at Pereless Systems for 3 years now and it’s a unique and empowering experience when the sky’s the limit for all employees. As a team, I think we are so efficient due, in part, to our diversity and balance.”

From large names to start-ups and with a variety of capabilities, Human Resource managers face a difficult decision when choosing an applicant tracking system (ATS). For those who currently have an ATS but are coming to the end of a contract, looking for a new opportunity can provide many benefits to your company. Pereless Systems has been in the market for 17 years, constantly growing our list of capabilities and our client base. Our platform is comparable to the top ATS in the market but there are some key differences that make Pereless unique in the market.

Dedicated Client Success Team

Customer service is extremely important for a business to survive. However, customer service often falls aside as a company grows and has to juggle more clients. Automated phone lines or general support FAQs become the way in which most customers can get their answers. At Pereless, we refuse to fall into that stereotype. Each client has a dedicated client success team who directly answer the phone for questions, support, and feedback. Every time you call us, you speak to a human.

This is not only one of our clients’ favorite perk, but it allows us to truly understand our clients’ needs. Due to this close relationship, our software development teams are constantly making updates and adding new features to our product. For some of our competitors, this is a nearly impossible connection to maintain, at Pereless we rely on this connection to enhance our software.

Internal Applicant Support Team

An internal applicant support team may be one of our most unique offerings. We strive to support not only our clients, but their candidates as well. For HR Managers, the application process can be a nightmare. The larger the company, the more applications they receive and therefore the more calls and questions from applicants.

We highly value both client and candidate support and have taken candidate relationship management to the next level. We provide an internal applicant support team who will directly take calls from candidates throughout the application process, lessening the work of hiring managers and therefore opening more time to do their jobs.

Flexible Pricing Model and Customized Packages

Many applicant tracking systems and on-boarding software providers lock their clients into long term contracts. In addition, there is little flexibility with pricing because of standardized packages. Due to the fact that we are privately owned, Pereless has the ability to put together customized packages for each client and we will never lose a deal because of pricing.

In addition, we rarely ask clients to sign into long-term or multi-year contracts. Pereless Systems will speak for itself and the lack of long-term contracts results in an indescribable drive to stay ahead of client needs. Our product and people are what keep our clients with us – not a legal obligation. Therefore, we constantly innovate to keep ourselves at the top.

Integrations with Job Boards, Payroll, Background and Assessment Providers

As one of the first in our industry, Pereless has established many integrations that provide an impressive range of functionality to our clients. We have access to hundreds of job boards through partnerships with companies like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor and many others.

In addition, we have built our platform to accommodate services from payroll, background check & assessment providers like ADP, Aurico, and People Answers (and many more!). Pereless provides recruiters and HR Managers with an easy to use and centralized solution for their needs.

Unique and Robust Reporting that Includes, “Build Your Own” Customized Report

Analytics drive the reasoning behind all major business decisions. Analytics drive the reasoning behind all major business decisions. Provide management with robust reports that include a “Daily Activity Report”, “Candidate Source Report”, “EEO-1 Report”, “Cost per Hire” and “Time to Fill” reports. These are just a few examples of the report templates we offer. Need a customized report? Take advantage of our “Build Your Own Report” feature. All of our reports can be saved and run according to specific dates. Export reports to Excel or simply print them out for review. The difference between our reports and other ATS is that we offer a “build your own” reporting feature based off of your specific interests.

Branded Career Pages

Familiarity with a brand name is most often the reason a customer buys a product, whether or not that product is of high quality. Getting your logo in front of an audience is the best way for customers to become familiar with your business. For this reason, a lot of service providers and companies we compete with put their logo on your career pages and inside of your applications. Pereless Systems works more behind the scenes. We produce personalized and branded career pages with your logo, not ours.

Data Migration from Current Applicant Tracking System

Finally, we understand that there are other ATS in the market but we also understand this list of reasons is why companies switch over to Pereless. We have built our platform so that data transfer is extremely easy from your current provider into our platform. In fact, we offer to take 50% off of your implementation fee if you are switching from another ATS to our system.

If you would like to schedule a demo of our platform, please click here and we will be happy to work with you.

Modernizing the application process is crucial for recruiters to find and attract top tier talent.

Mobile devices have become arguably the most important piece of technology we own. Cellphones are changing the way that people consume data and interact with businesses. A major increase in technology companies has been seen over the past 10 years, disrupting industry after industry.

Internally, companies have been left scrambling to keep their processes and software up-to-date. Human Resources and Recruiting Departments are no exception.

For the past year, Pereless Systems has had mobile career pages and application processes.  These features help to maximize the access of recruiting and reach of job opportunities to candidates. Applicants no longer have to be restricted to apply on a computer.  These on-the-go features, along with our one-page application process, make for a quick, simple, and responsive experience. With mobile application capabilities, companies will see their candidate pools increase due to the vast amount of people using their smartphones.

Many times applicants will shy away from long applications due to inconvenience and time needed. Seeing all application fields on one page and on a phone screen is a very attractive process for applicants. Becoming a technologically savvy company through mobile applications will set companies apart when trying to attract new employees.  It is vital to keep up with the ever-growing world we live in.  

In addition, one page application processes are rising in popularity.

Candidates are faced with an increasing number of job postings and an increasing number of competition, so expediting the application process will encourage them to apply.

Company growth can be stunted without adaptation.  This is why it’s imperative to become a mobile friendly company.  The additions of mobile applications and career pages will help tremendously in doing so.  In competitive markets, this is the best way to get the quality candidates that fit your company culture and work ethic.  Take the time to evaluate your HR approach and become more mobile friendly for the best results.  

To see how easy it is to become a mobile company,  contact Pereless Systems to add mobile applications and career pages to your applicant tracking and on-boarding strategy.

Understanding millennials is important for anyone in HR. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics/The Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, they will account for 36% of the U.S. workforce by next year. By 2030 it is predicted that number will rise to 75% of the workforce. These statistics are staggering, so what exactly do you need to know about this generation?

New Skills Brought on by New Talent

Millennials bring a different perspective to the workplace. According to a Forbes study, 74% of non-millennials agree that their generation offers different skills and work styles. This is an important factor in growing a collaborative business. It is understandable that varying work methods and ideas are increased through hiring younger generations considering that many of them are ambitious and driven.

Shift Towards More Educated Workforce

Millennials are one of the most educated generations with about 79% of them holding at least a bachelor’s degree. The higher education of millennials combined with their innovative critical thinking skills make them ideal job candidates. Degrees in areas such as engineering yield especially high job placement results, however many hold degrees in other specialized areas and have difficulty with finding jobs. This is an interesting statistic because the more specialized a degree can be, the deeper a knowledge it requires about the subject. This can be a huge advantage to companies looking to hire for a specific need when looking through a large pile of resumes.

Focus on Future Generations in the Workforce

A Forbes study also found that 74% agree that businesses should partner with colleges. If more businesses worked with colleges, this would ensure that graduating students have the necessary skills for their job. College professors will often try to achieve this by making sure that the skills taught in the classroom are relevant to the actual job which students will be going into, this makes their younger generation and future applicants even more ideal as employees.

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Millennials are an innovative generation with varying values, beliefs, and work ethics. Their skills and high levels of education make them ideal work candidates which can help to excel your business. Millennials are not just a part of the workforce, they are the workforce.