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Pre-Employment Testing: Best Way to Assess the Quality of Your Potential Candidate

Every employer has this inner desire to have the best work force in the industry. It is so because an up to mark labour force transcends to a better performance of the company. This necessitates every employer to do everything possible in order to recruit the best employees among the many applicants. In every pool of applicants for any advertised job by any company, many potentials employees have similar qualifications and in skills and it become hard for the employer to sieve for the best. Thanks to pre-employment testing program, this has softened and lifted all this hassle from the employer. The employer can execute the programs available through online or physical means.

Pre-employment testing program is a comprehensive tests performed on potential candidates to assess their quality and whether they meet the job requirements. This program has become very prominent in recruiting agents due to its high screening ability. However, due diligence is imperative in executing the program, for better results. The user should base the ultimate choice of the best employee only on merit and not either ethnicity, racial, religious or regional basis. The tests performed encompasses all the individuals dimensions and may include personality tests, medical examinations, background and credit checks, cognitive tests, talent assessment tests, drug tests and physical exams among others.

Drug tests

These are tests performed on the potential employee to check whether the candidate is in drugs, which can harm his or her health, or affect his or her performance. The test includes alcohol testing, urine test, saliva drug and sweat drug screen tests.

Cognitive tests

Cognitive tests measure the level of reasoning accuracy and speed arithmetic skills, candidates reasoning and memory capacity. This will ensure that the employer settles on the right candidates with high cognitive quality, which means that the candidate can perform well in the organisation.

Personality tests

Personality tests assess the conduct of a candidate given certain circumstances and his or her behavioral aspects in different situations. In addition, it assesses a person's disposition or degree of certain traits. This gives the employer an idea about the best management or leadership style to use for different employees.

Medical examinations and background tests

Medical examination gives an overview of the candidate's health. It includes blood screening for various diseases and the metabolic functionality. This enable the employer in planning the medical schemes and in assessing the candidate's likely performance once placed. On the other hand, the background test gives the historical background of the candidate. It may include criminal record checks and conviction account.

Credit checks

It's a check performed to establish the candidates present financial position and his or her past financial record. It shows how well or badly the candidate can manage his finances and hence the company's finances.

Talent assessment tests

Also known as career tests, helps the employer to show how suitable a certain candidate is for certain job in offer. This helps to match the candidate with the jobs description and predict the candidate's retainability and performance.

Before hiring, it is essentially significant to opt for pre-employment testing in order to make the right decision.

Select the right employees for your business with the help of Smart Moves Inc.


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Which Job Agency Is Right For You

When a business needs someone to fill-in for a staff member who is on vacation, or someone for a temporary basis on a short term project, they often turn to a job agency. The agency is able to provide workers with the needed skills, who may be willing and able to work for short periods on contracts. Employers may also use the job agency when the future of projects or plans have not been determined, and workers are hired as ``temp to perm". The positions may initially be temporary, but may turn into full-time positions, if conditions are met. The conditions can include crystallization of plans, and the worker filling specified obligations.

Many job seekers see the job agency as being invaluable in the job search. It can be the ticket to landing that full-time position. The public service is free and offers various resources. Recruiters may have contacts available to assist in opening doors that may be closed or difficult to find. Another big advantage of using a job agency is that you can try work in different industries and companies and industries, and they're also very suitable for people who may be looking for part-time or contract work for shorter periods.

While there is no guarantee that you will find a job, they can be very useful for many other reasons. To make effective use of the resources provided by the job agency, there are a number of tasks that should be completed.

• It`s best to locate and register with multiple agencies that work in your favour
• A current resume must be provided
• Complete all applications
• In some instances, pre-qualifying test is necessary
• Interview with as many agencies as possible
• Training may also be required.

The agency must suit your needs. It will be to your advantage to choose an agency that specializes in your area of work. To find the right agency, you may need to do some research. Look for reviews online and ask for recommendations from those who may have used the agency before. To increase the odds of being placed, you can register with multiple agencies, but it may take some time before you are assigned to a suitable placement. A lot will depend on what you are looking for how well it is matched to your competencies.

To be hired by the agency, you will be required to complete an application, and your current resume will be retained on file. You may also be required to successfully pass an appropriate test or pre-screening that determines your suitability for certain jobs.

When a temporary position is found, you will be notified of the job, and the assignment arranged. Positions may not be readily available, but it would be in your best interest to communicate regularly to demonstrate your interest.

Private job agencies may charge fees, which are usually paid by the hiring company, for their services, but it is also not uncommon for job hunters to pay locaters for finding jobs.

The choice of a job agency is an important decision for job-seekers. There are some important things to consider when choosing a job agency.


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Are Employment Agencies Helpful?

Employment agencies are organizations that match job seekers with employers. They can be both public and private. The public agencies are usually funded by some level of the government, while private employment agencies are owned by individuals or corporations.

Formation of public employment agencies dates as far back as 1650, when an "Office of Addresses and Encounters" that would link employers to workers was proposed by British Parliamentarian, Henry Robinson. He actually went on to form his own company when his proposal was rejected.

In 1902 after the establishment of Labour Act, the government oversaw the formation of the first agency in London. The program was then expanded across the nation, with the Labour Exchanges Act, enacted by the Liberals in 1909. Public agencies now exist in all developed countries to assist people in finding employment.

Employment agencies can be temporary as well as permanent. The nomenclature can be semantic, and can lead to be misleading. The agencies themselves may not be temporary, but the jobs that they provide may be temporary, where employers need workers for short term work, such as in contract employment for secretarial, bookkeeping or accounting work, or even in technical areas such as Information Technology. This is also common in many short-lived projects.

Agencies may also focus in specific areas, and provide specific services. The decision to use an employment agency in your job search is a wise one, but with the variety that exists, it is even more important to choose the right one. Important questions are should you use a public or a private agency, or should you pay for assistance in your job search. The answers depend on the type and level of service that you need.

If you are using all free or unpaid services, it may be to your advantage, to have as many agencies as possible working for you, but the process should be carefully handled to avoid conflicts. There appears to be mutual benefits to all involved in the agency area.

Employers constantly complain of the difficulties involved in finding suitable employee. Depending on the level of employment, the process can be exhaustive and at times expensive, especially for companies that may be strapped for cash. Job-seekers, may also realize that finding a job, can even be a full-time job that does not yet offer any reward, until your are employed. The employment agency is intermediary that can bring both together, to alleviate much of the pain involved in the search process.

If your business does not have a human resources department, as is the case with smaller businesses, the job of effectively filling a vacant position, can be handled by the agency. It is estimated that filling a vacant position can take up to 45 days, and cost up to 25% of the salary of the position. So paying for the assistance can be seen as money well-spent.

Employment agencies can save both the job-seeker and the employer both time and money. Competent employment agencies can use a number of different resources to find good employees.


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MN Unemployment Rate 5.8% In July 2012

The detailed state employment statistics for July 2012 have been released by the Department of Labor. The State of Minnesota's unemployment rate for the month was published at 5.8%. This is a 0.2% increase over June and breaks the 3-month trend of 5.6% (Apr-Jun). Minnesota's rate has stayed in the upper 5% range since November last year. When compared to June, there are around 6,000 more unemployed workers in Minnesota. The number of people employed in the State dropped by roughly 5,500 and the civilian workforce numbers were relatively flat. The effect of these changes was the July rate increase.

When we compare July 2012 to July 2011 we find that the current rate is still 0.8% lower than the 2011 rate of 6.6%. Comparing the two years, there are roughly 24,000 fewer unemployed individuals in MN in July 2012 vs. July 2011. Also, there are about 18,600 more individuals employed in the state. However, during the past year the overall workforce actually went down by about 5,600. These changes in the employment statistics resulted in the major rate reduction in the past year.

If we look at MN's business sector numbers for July we see the results are mixed. Up for July were the business sectors of Construction, Trade Transportation and Utilities, Financial Activities, and Leisure & Hospitality. Down for the month were Manufacturing, Information (slightly), and Education & Health Services.

Next we'll review the July the employment statistics for the big cities in MN for July 2012. Though most of the changes were small, the majority of the metropolitan areas that were reported on showed increases in their unemployment rates. On the rise in July was the City of Mankato - up to 5.3% from 5.0% in June. The City of St. Cloud rose from 5.7% to 5.8%. Also up in July was Duluth rising from 7.0% to 7.1%. The Twin Cities Metro Area of Minneapolis & St. Paul also saw their rate rise in July from 5.8% to 5.9%. A couple of cities experienced improvements including the City of Rochester (4.9% from 5.0%) and the Fargo Area (3.3% to 3.0%).

We can also see how MN is doing compared to it's neighboring states in the Midwest. States with higher unemployment rates for July include Wisconsin (7.3%), Illinois (8.9%) and Michigan (9.0%). States with lower rates are Iowa (5.3%), North Dakota (3.0%), and South Dakota (4.4%).

Later this Summer the U.S Department of Labor will published the August 2012 employment numbers for MN. When they do we'll once again review the data for the state, it's industries, and it's cities. Please remember that previously published numbers may be adjusted by the Department of Labor.

If you're unemployed in MN and looking for information please visit the MN Unemployment Headquarters.


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Why Should You Pursue a Career in Law?

Law is considered to be a field in which you can get immense intellectual satisfaction. It is considered as a highly yielding profession and there has been a steady increase in the number of youth who pursue a career in this field. Career in this field comes with a lot of advantages that are often left unnoticed by the precursors in this field.

As mentioned earlier, intellectual boost is one of the major advantages. This is because this field always keeps you close to the current affairs as well as technological advances. There will be a demand to seek adept knowledge in legal matters and gain expertise in analyzing legal matters. This will open up various research options as well.

Another important fact associated with this profession is that it has the potential to uplift your social status. As a lawyer you can come in contact with a lot of high officials and companies. With globalization, most companies have started tie ups with a lot of international institutions. The actions that happen between them are managed at one level by many lawyers of great expertise. This field is financially promising as well. We all live in legal frameworks and thus it is difficult to think of a world without lawyers. This job is all about facing fresh challenges every day and solving them to make a successful living.

The law schools prepare you to start off a successful career in this field. But the school that you choose should be the best, the one that provide you with all the court room skills that you require. Your years at one of the best law schools will help you to choose a field in which you can exhibit your potential. The available branches of law include criminal law, civil law, corporate law, family law, labor or employment law, international law etc.

There are a number of law schools across the country and most of these schools conduct tests to select the best candidates. It is difficult to get into top rated law schools. But once you get into these schools they ensure you a successful career ahead. Law school catalogues as well as reference books will help you to find the best law schools. Internet is also a perfect source for your search. Contacting law school pass outs will help you to know about the best law schools across the country as well as know more about the career in the field.

Click here to know more about NY attorney jobs.


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Plumbing Apprenticeships Demystified

A plumbing apprentice has to be aware of a number of factors required to be a good plumber.

Plumbing is a physically challenging job. The apprentice will not be able to sit at a desk all day; the job requires a lot of physical energy in order to successfully complete the given task.The apprentice will be required to work in all sorts of environments including at construction sites or at heights in all sorts of weather.

The plumbing apprentice should therefore be ready to handle any challenge that the job holds in store for him or her.

A plumbing apprentice has to realize that plumbing services are required at domestic installations as well as in the construction industry. A qualified plumber is also involved in the laying of underground drainage pipes and in the installation of sanitation systems. Plumbers also have to get actively involved in the promotion of environmentally friendly technologies such as solar heating and rain water harvesting.

A plumbing apprentice learns many things, the first of which is how to install and maintain plumbing systems and their components. They are taught how to repair and test various plumbing fixtures and appliances. The apprentice is also required to enroll in a course on basic plumbing which will ensure that the apprentice is well versed with the fundamental elements of the plumbing trade including hot and cold water systems, safety, central heating and sanitation.

A plumbing apprenticeship imparts an education on all aspects of plumbing services including the skills needed, the expectations and the daily tasks involved as a plumber. The apprentice receives a combination of structured instruction and on-the-job training working with a licensed plumber. Contractors employ plumbing apprentices for a specified term under the supervision of an experienced plumber. The apprentice usually receives wages for work. Some contractors allow the apprentices other benefits too.

Candidates aspiring to begin a plumbing apprenticeship must be at least 18 years of age. He or she should have completed high school or have an equivalent diploma. Successful completion of an aptitude test may be required before apprenticeship selection. The plumbing apprenticeship involves four or five years of study which include more than 100 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on plumbing work.

As a plumbing apprentice advances and gets more experience, he or she will be required to learn more complicated skills such as working with gas.

After completing a plumbing apprenticeship, a newly certified plumber can choose to offer his services to domestic clients or seek employment with construction companies or home renovators. Alternatively, he or she can choose to enhance their skills further by specializing as steam fitters, pipe fitters, pipe layers or sprinkler fitters.

For more information on plumbing apprenticeship and plumbing courses go to http://www.plumbing-apprenticeships.com/

Rahul likes to devote his time reading and writing on different topics. Most of the times helping others.


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The Executive Search and the Job Description

The past decade has seen a dramatic change in the way companies must begin handling their hiring practices. Where once candidate sourcing and hiring procedures may have been a simpler matter, now, given the extreme value that has been placed on company time and resources, it has become prudent that these efforts be carried out as frugally as possible, and to this end any number of new strategies and solutions have been put forward designed to enhance the employers' chances of getting the process right the first time, and to do so as quickly and efficiently as possible. Gone are the days of employers winging the candidate search and interview processes because they believe they already know what they are looking for in a new employee? Now, given this new array of techniques for success, executive search firms are taking things back to the basics to help employers discover that in order to achieve success in these processes and avoid wasting precious resources along the way, they will need to start by focusing on and honing those most traditional hiring techniques.

For starters, rather than just diving straight into these procedures without forethought and attempting to ad lib their way through the hiring process, employers will need to stop and take a moment to think ahead in these proceedings. In order to assure that the person who is ultimately hired will be successful within the organization in the long run, the employer must begin by viewing this individual not as an independent factor, but by attempting to envision where they want the company to be in X number of years and then asking how this candidate can help them to achieve these goals over time. As all successful hiring strategies do, this begins with the job description. However, rather than focusing solely on attempting to meet the needs of the present, such a job description should seek to grasp the bigger picture and how the role in question may change over time. Once such a job description has been outlined, not only will it help the employers to find the best possible candidate, but can then also be used down the line to help ensure that the individual hired stays on track.

Many fail to realize the true value of this early stage in the executive search process. However, what these individuals fail to recognize is that in the creation of a thorough job description, not only are they telling potential candidates what is expected of them, but they are also helping themselves to realize what exactly it is they are looking for in the perfect hire. At its most basic a thorough job description should include the title and summary of the position with a list of the duties entailed. Taken a step further, employers can include a list of those positions with which the new employee would be working, as well as compiling a list of minimum qualifications necessary to the role, all of which can be found easily enough by talking to those individuals who work in proximity to the position in question. Ultimately what employers need to remember though, is not to over complicate this process from the start, instead focusing on taking these issues one step at a time and addressing them as simply as possible.

"Maurice Gilbert founded Conselium in 2001 and serves as the Managing Partner. Conselium is an Executive Search Firm that offers a more personalized executive search solution for companies in search of Compliance, Regulatory Counsel and Audit professionals. For more information please email Maurice at mailto:maurice@conselium.com or visit the website at http://www.conselium.com/ "


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