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  • Home
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  • Associates
    • Temporary Holiday Jobs in the Midwest
  • Clients
  • Blog
  • Locations
    • Aurora, IL
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    • Chicago, IL
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SUMMIT STAFFING, INC. WINS CLEARLYRATED’S 2021 BEST OF STAFFING CLIENT AWARD FOR SERVICE EXCELLENCE

3/12/2021

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Oak Brook, IL, March 12, 2021 – Summit Staffing, Inc., a leading staffing agency announced today that they have won the Best of Staffing Client Award for providing superior service to their clients. Presented in partnership with presenting sponsor CareerBuilder and gold sponsors Indeed & Talent.com,ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing® Award winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients. On average, clients of winning agencies are twice as likely to be completely satisfied with the services provided compared to those working with non-winning agencies. Summit Staffing, Inc. received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 68.2% of their clients, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 38%.
 
“Summit Staffing has worked very hard in the last year to maintain a high level of service, and continue to provide employment to our wonderful loyal workforce. We have just celebrated our 35th anniversary, and in all those years I have never witnessed such unforeseen and evolving challenges. I am more grateful than ever for our incredible staff, and very proud of the hard work and dedication everyone displayed. This is our fourth consecutive Best of Staffing award, and absolutely the hardest earned!”  Summit Staffing’s Owner, President and CEO Fiorella Auriemma
 
“After one of the most turbulent years in modern history, winners of the 2021 Best of Staffing award have proven their commitment to go above and beyond in support of their clients and placed talent," said ClearlyRated's CEO and Founder, Eric Gregg. "These service leaders have demonstrated their capacity to be agile, to be precise, and to prioritize the client and talent experience above all else. It is my honor to celebrate and showcase the 2021 Best of Staffing winners alongside feedback from their actual clients and placed talent on ClearlyRated.com!”


For more information about Summit Staffing please contact Analisa Gutierrez, information is listed below.
 
Contact
Analisa Gutierrez, VP of Client Services
p. (630) 819-5313
analisa@summitstaffing.net
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What are the Best Warehouse Jobs in the Midwest?

3/12/2021

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As the world grinded to a halt in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and mitigation measures aimed towards stopping the spread, headlines have revolved around displaced jobs in the service industry. While there is truth to the number of lost jobs in the service industry, the national narrative is ignoring a resurgence of high-paying jobs in the manufacturing and warehousing industry. In fact, an ‘epic US factory jobs boom is on its way’ according to Bloomberg. Jobs and opportunities do exist right now; and with the rollout of vaccines across the country, the situation has a chance to improve dramatically. Here are some of the best opportunities in the warehousing industry to keep tabs on.

The Rise of E-Commerce in the Midwest

It’s no secret that the events of 2020 have dramatically reshaped shopping habits. The rise of e-commerce shopping has taken hold in the midwest, especially in the Chicago area, which happens to be a very strategic shipping and distribution hub for the US. With the rise in e-commerce comes a plethora of new job opportunities from logistics to warehousing and distribution. Take a look at the following warehouse jobs and reach out to our team with any questions!

What are the Best Warehouse Jobs in the Midwest?

  • Forklift Operator: Forklift operators are responsible for using industrial trucks and forklifts to load and unload materials. Their main duty is to move supplies effectively and safely using specialized equipment. Because operating a forklift requires certification and technical training, it is typically a well paying job. Forklift operators need to have attention to detail, valid certifications and good time management skills to be qualified. 
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  • Shipping and Receiving: The warehouse shipping/receiving clerk performs a variety of important tasks, such as verifying and keeping records on any incoming and outgoing shipments and assembling and preparing orders for shipment. Other duties include: unpacking and examining incoming shipments, rejecting damaged items, and communicating with vendors to rectify damages and errors.
 
  • Warehouse Packer: Another word for warehouse packers is “pickers”. They are in charge of getting packages ready for shipment from the storage warehouse. The warehouse picker job comes into play after an order has been placed by a customer to make a purchase. After an order has been received, the picker takes a look at the invoice and retrieves the items from the inventory. Next they typically check that the items are in good condition, wrap them securely, and pack them for shipping. Packers are also responsible for updating the inventory to reflect items removed and weigh packages. Warehouse packing jobs typically require physical strength and stamina to lift and pack heavy boxes and items.

  • Machine Operator: Machine operators are usually specialized to work on a variety of machines in a warehouse. Experienced machine operators usually make a good salary and have many skills including excellent physical stamina and good technical skills. The job requires employees to be knowledgeable on operating their machines safely and maintenance to make sure things operate safely. Machine operators are natural problem solvers who can troubleshoot to ensure operations run accurately and on time.

Find the Best Midwestern Warehouse Jobs ASAP

Let Summit Staffing help match you with your next warehouse job in Illinois, Indiana or Wisconsin for a prosperous future! We specialize in the light industrial market, so whether you are looking for general labor, forklift, machine operating or more, we'll work one-on-one with our associates to make sure we have the right fit.
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Check out our office locations or contact us to learn more!
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Staffing Industry Statistics in 2020

1/22/2021

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This past year was a volatile year for many industries starting in March with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The staffing industry was able to step in and help with a major shift in labor in the United States and around the world. Here are a few updated statistics for 2020 with regards to the staffing industry.
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Employee staffing statistics in 2020

There are plenty of reasons for employees to seek out temporary work but the top ranking reasons in 2020 are:
  • Finding New Opportunities: Six in 10 staffing employees (64%) work in the industry to fill in the gap between jobs or to help them land a job.
  • ​Owning Your Schedule: 20% of staffing employees cite schedule flexibility as a reason for choosing temporary/contract work.
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Employer staffing statistics in 2020

The staffing industry creates thousands of jobs each year and significantly contributes to the GDP in the United States. This year was no exception as multiple industries were disrupted due to the pandemic. Staffing companies were able to achieve the following this past year:

  • Contribution to the US Economy: The staffing industry creates job and career opportunities for over 16 million employees per year.
 
  • Top Industries by Sector:
    • 36% Industrial: Warehouse & Manufacturing
    • 24% Office–Clerical and Administrative
    • 21% Professional–Managerial
    • 11% Engineering, Information Technology, and Scientific
    • 8% Health Care

​Industrial Staffing Services in the Midwest

Our team of recruiters is here to answer any other questions you may have about manual labor. In fact, Summit Staffing has more than 30 years of experience finding the right candidate for the right position and a variety of manual labor positions around Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. If you're ready to take the next step in your career, contact us!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Manual Labor Jobs

10/16/2020

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What jobs are considered manual labor?

Manual labor is defined as work that requires physical skill and energy, but some people are a little loose with their descriptions of manual labor jobs. For instance, some might consider a cashier or checkout position in a retail store to be a manual labor job even if it really doesn't require as much physical energy as an inventory warehouse worker in the back of the same store.
Here are a few examples of manual labor jobs that we regularly hire and place for:
  • General labor
  • Forklift operators
  • Shipping & receiving
  • Assembly & packing
  • Warehouse & inventory
  • Welders

How should I dress for a manual labor interview?

The age-old saying "look good, feel good" definitely applies to all interviews - even for manual labor jobs! You should plan to dress nicely no matter what the job is. It’s always better to be overdressed than under. When you look good, you’ll feel good and you’ll naturally be more confident. It also signals that you're serious about getting to work which will increase your chances of getting hired.

Read our 8 Interview Tips to Help you Land the Job

Does manual labor make you stronger?

​Yes! The most obvious benefit of working a manual labor job is getting more exercise. It makes sense that being on your feet, moving, lifting, and doing general physical activity all day will burn calories and contribute to muscle growth. Make no mistake, working a manual labor position will not replace regular exercise or cure you of all ailments, but physical work definitely offers more opportunities for burning calories than sedentary desk jobs.  As with any physical activity, injuries can happen. Be sure to do daily stretches before and after your shift and follow all safety guidelines to keep you out of harm's way.

What are the differences between manual labor jobs and office jobs?

Office jobs typically require sitting at a desk for 8-10 hours a day leading to a more sedentary lifestyle that can even negatively affect your health in some cases. It's also common for office workers to have thousands of dollars of debt from certifications and college tuition that must eventually be paid off.

Manual labor jobs also require long hours and can be more physically taxing. Manual labor allows you to learn new skills that strengthen the mind and body. Oftentimes these skills are also applicable to both professional and personal life. Specializations and training certifications can also help further your career and boost your paycheck - for example forklift drivers are a skilled position typically earning more than general labor jobs.
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Both manual labor jobs and office jobs have their pros and cons. Each option is valid -- it just depends on what type of person you are. If you like to stay active and have tons of energy, then perhaps opting out of the 9-5 office life and getting a manual labor job is the right move for you.

How can I protect my body when working in manual labor?

​Most manual labor or contractor jobs involve loading, unloading and heavy lifting. It's important to know how to keep your body in tune. A few suggestions include:
  • Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow safety guidelines at all times
  • Know how to properly lift heavy items
  • Moisturize - skin health is important
  • Stretch multiple times daily
  • Be sure to listen to your body to avoid overexertion

Can a manual labor job help improve brain cognition?

It's no secret that lifting, walking, carrying, and other activities that come with manual labor work builds muscles through exercise. But manual labor generally also requires unique cognitive functions, which will improve over time, such as interpersonal skills, situational awareness, contextual application of tools and procedures, and depending on the job, innovation. ​

The Summit Advantage: General Labor Staffing in the Midwest

Our team of recruiters is here to answer any other questions you may have about manual labor. In fact, Summit Staffing has more than 30 years of experience finding the right candidate for the right position and a variety of manual labor positions around Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. If you're ready to take the next step in your career, contact us!
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4 Tips for Warehouse Employers with Hard to Fill Jobs

9/8/2020

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While technology has allowed for tremendous advancements in warehouse supply chain efficiency, there are also other factors that make or break a business -- most importantly, a motivated, hard-working staff. Top warehouse businesses around the world still depend on hiring the right people for the right job in order to maintain productivity. Because a business is only as efficient as the workers they hire, and many warehouse opportunities are so niche, it's often difficult to fill the necessary positions.

In this guide, we’ll illustrate four tips designed to help employers find and hire the right candidates for important, hard-to-fill warehouse jobs so you operate at maximum efficiency.
1. Include as much detail in job descriptions as possible

Warehouse jobs can vary a lot from business to business. For example, the duties of a forklift driver for one company may not necessarily require the same skills as driving one for another. When you are creating a job posting, be as specific and up front as possible about expectations and qualifications necessary to perform the duties. Bullet point format works well in job descriptions because it acts as an easily digestible checklist for applicants. You can then create long-form explanations underneath the bullet points if necessary.
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Including as much detail as possible in your job descriptions can be a major time saver because it helps to ensure that only qualified candidates apply.
2. Know the Red Flags to Look For in the Hiring Process

The hiring process isn’t particularly fun for anyone. Hiring managers and decision-makers are tasked with the time drain of conducting interviews and reviewing resumes in addition to their normal job duties. It’s important to know which red flags to look for so the team doesn't have to repeat the hiring process.

  • Late arrival to an interview. 
Warehouses that operate efficiently all have one thing in common: a team that shows up on time and is ready to get to work. Showing up to an interview on time is the easiest way for candidates to prove they are up to the job and indicates that they respect your time.
  • References that don’t answer the phone.
Asking for references from former employers is important in the vetting process. We recommend keeping an eye out for candidates that submit contact information for an individual that is not tied to a business or references that don’t answer.
  • Complaints about previous bosses or coworkers.
Teamwork is an important factor of warehouse work. Collaborating and working together often involves getting over disagreements and moving on. Constant complaints about bosses or coworkers is often a red flag that indicates the candidate does not work well with others.

Read our 5 Commonly Asked Interview Questions for Temporary Positions for more interview ideas.
3. Ask Detailed Questions in Online Applications

Some warehouse jobs have very specific requirements that may even be regulated by law. It’s important to ask detailed and specific questions in online applications to avoid sifting through unnecessary details. Some example questions include:

  • Where did you receive your certification for [insert necessary certification]?
  • How many years of experience do you have working in this role?
  • List your last 4 employers and dates of employment.
  • List the names and phone numbers of three (3) references that we may contact.

Oftentimes, asking these specific questions can be better than asking for a resume when hiring warehouse employees for hard to fill jobs.
4. Focus on Brand & Culture for Hard-to-Fill-Jobs

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has a few interesting case studies that focus on recruiting and retaining warehouse workers. They argue that “brand and culture” play a major role in hiring warehouse employees. The case study includes an interesting example of a company, Romark, that offers competitive pay for its warehouse jobs. The company saw employee retention and hiring skyrocket after implementing two policies: air conditioned warehouses and allowing employees to remain on the clock while at lunch. 

Read more about How to Create a Desirable and Productive Work Environment for more ideas surrounding good work culture.
Summit Staffing’s Team of Expert Recruiters Can Staff Your Hard to Fill Jobs.

Summit Staffing has the experience and expertise to develop a custom staffing solution to meet your needs. We work on projects ranging from customers that require a single temporary associate, to managing a 24/7 onsite operation with over 1200 temporary employees. By combining work ethic with state of the art technology, Summit Staffing has become the supplier of choice for hundreds of companies, large and small, throughout the Midwest including many publicly traded and international corporations.

Contact us to learn more. ​
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Top 5 Summer Temp Jobs For Extra Income in 2020

6/3/2020

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Top 5 Summer Temp Jobs For Extra Income in 2020

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Summer is the perfect time to take on more hours working to bolster your annual income. Demand for work tends to rise in the summer months with more people wanting to take time off for vacation and to spend time with family and friends. Even during these uncertain times, demand for temporary work will still be expected during the summer months.
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Whether you’re looking for work in Administrative & Clerical, Accounting & Finance, Skilled Manufacturing positions, or other areas, our team of dedicated recruiters can help point you in the right direction.

1. Warehouse Packer

Warehouse packers, sometimes called pickers, are in charge of getting packages ready for shipment from the storage warehouse. The number one duty of pickers is to retrieve the items on the invoice from the inventory, check that they are in good condition, wrap them securely, and pack them for shipping. You would also be updating the inventory to reflect items removed and weigh packages. Warehouse packing jobs do require physical strength and stamina to lift and pack heavy boxes and items.

2. Assembler/Assembly Line Worker

It’s always nice to have the opportunity to work indoors in the air conditioning - especially in the blistering hot summer months. An assembler is responsible for piecing together parts and following a set of instructions or schematics to achieve the goal. The assembler is also responsible for making sure that the correct quantities of components makes it to the final destination. Lastly they are responsible for checking completed items for quality, and managing parts inventory. There are various different types of assembler jobs but our team of dedicated recruiters can help you navigate that.

3. Warehouse Operator

Warehouse Operator jobs typically require you to be able to handle and balance many different tasks all at once. Some warehouse operator jobs are responsible  for managing the supply chain process, handling vendor orders and interactions, enforcing safety regulations, and checking all packages for quality assurance. That can sound like a handful so typically individuals who are organized and have some experience are the best candidates. It should also be noted that it may be required to operate a forklift or other warehouse machinery. Regardless, warehouse operator jobs are excellent for summer temporary work!

4. Temporary Clerical Work

Typically temp clerical work can be perfect for the hot summer months, since it usually takes place indoors and in an office setting. Clerical work usually includes some combination of the following tasks:
  • Word processing and typing
  • Sorting and filing
  • Photocopying and collating
  • Record keeping
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Minor bookkeeping

5. Welder

Welders are responsible for fabricating and assembling metal structures/ equipment through the use of welders, cutters, shapers and measuring tools. Welding jobs can be a bit more complicated because experience and certification requirements vary between jobs, but our team of expert recruiters will work with you to identify your skill set. 

Summit Staffing - Your Local Midwest Temp Agency

Looking for seasonal summer employment or a new career altogether? Let Summit Staffing, your local Midwest temp agency, match you with one of their promising clients in Illinois, Indiana or Wisconsin for a prosperous future! Summit Staffing specializes in the light industrial market, so whether you are looking for general labor, forklift, machine operating or more, we'll work one-on-one with our associates to make sure we have the right fit.
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5 Commonly Asked Interview Questions for Temporary Positions

5/12/2020

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5 Commonly Asked Interview Questions for Temporary Positions

Temporary employment is the ideal way to find work for extra cash on the side, seasonal employment (especially during the summer and holidays), and for supplemental income between jobs. In fact, many companies use temporary work to explore the best talent so later they can fill full-time positions.

Regardless of your motivations for seeking temporary employment, hiring managers are looking to fill positions with individuals who are dependable and who possess the necessary skills to get their project(s) done. It’s important that you understand the industry that you are applying to and begin thinking about long-term goals related to it. 

Here are a few commonly asked questions for temporary positions with reasoning behind them to help you craft original answers and land the job.

What is it about temporary work that interests you?

This question is designed to help hiring managers understand your motivations for seeking temporary employment: a very important detail in their eyes. You should use this opportunity to explain that you are looking for opportunities to prove yourself in order to land the job of your dreams. It’s okay to explain that you are treating it as a way of evaluating if the job/company is right for you. Employers typically like to hear that candidates are taking the opportunity seriously. This is also a chance to showcase that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to complete the job.

What are your long-term career goals?

Interviewing for temporary positions can be a bit trickier than applying for permanent positions. Decision-makers are looking for candidates on whom they can depend to complete the assigned job and not quit to pursue other long-term career goals. Any “long-term goal” questions should be approached with caution. It is ok to acknowledge that you do indeed have an ideal career path, but try to reiterate that the job has value for both yourself and them; after all, they're the ones looking for a worker. Do what you can to position yourself as a dependable person who is focused on helping them, rather than just gaining experience for your own sake.

Would you be interested in a permanent position if it became available?

Do keep an open mind when asked about potential direct-hire opportunities in the company. If you prefer to stick with temporary work, then focus on keeping your answer general and vague. Explain that you are open to any mutually beneficial possibilities in the future if the situation is right. This is another opportunity to reinforce that you have the skills and knowledge to get the job done and would prefer to focus on that.

Can you tell us about a time when you had to adjust to a new work environment?

Telling stories is one of the most powerful tools in your belt during the interview process. Everyone knows that starting a new position comes with a period of learning and adjustment. We can all but guarantee that you will encounter a question that will ask you to reflect on the past and how you adapted to something out of your control. Plan ahead for this question and focus on showing them that you are resourceful, flexible, and able to work with new people in new places.

What specific job skills do you have that will help with this position?

This may seem like a no-brainer but it is a very important piece when being considered for temporary work. Be sure to project confidence when answering this question. Make sure the decision maker knows your skill set and how you can effectively apply it to the position. Feel free to tell another brief story about your past experience and how it can help you. It’s best to keep your answers short and direct on this one.

Summit Staffing Can Help You Find Work

If you're looking for a temporary position or a career change and feel confident to interview in a certain industry, get in touch and submit your resume. Summit Staffing has worked with companies around the Midwest for over 30 years, placing the right candidates in the right positions. We'll help you hone your skill set and find ways to market them to businesses that would be the right fit for you. Get in touch today!
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SUMMIT STAFFING WINS CLEARLYRATED’S 2020 BEST OF STAFFING

2/7/2020

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SUMMIT STAFFING, INC. WINS CLEARLYRATED’S 2020 BEST OF STAFFING CLIENT AWARD FOR SERVICE EXCELLENCE


​Oak Brook, IL; February 7, 2020. 
Summit Staffing, Inc., a leading staffing agency announced today that they have won Best of Staffing Client Award for providing superior service to their clients. Presented in partnership with presenting sponsor, CareerBuilder, and gold sponsors Indeed and Glassdoor, ClearlyRated’s ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing® Award winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients. On average, clients of winning agencies are 3.3 times more likely to be completely satisfied with the services provided compared to those working with non-winning agencies.
Summit Staffing, Inc. received satisfaction scores of 9 out of 10 from 73.7 of their clients, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 24%.
 
“I am so proud of our team for being awarded the Best of Staffing Client Award for the third year in a row! With the unemployment rate at a national low, and the labor market in the Midwest being so competitive, I am very aware of the amount of staffing resources our clients have. I am so appreciative of their loyalty and look forward to continued growth with our clients and partners in 2020.” Summit Staffing’s President and CEO, Fiorella Auriemma said.
 
“Now more than ever, it is important for staffing firms to deliver consistently remarkable experiences to the clients and talent they work with,” said ClearlyRated’s CEO Eric Gregg. “This year’s Best of Staffing winners have shown their commitment to exceptional service, committing to not only measuring satisfaction, but taking action on the feedback. I couldn't be more proud to showcase these industry leaders alongside feedback from their actual clients and candidates on ClearlyRated.com and applaud them for their commitment to making improvements at their respective firms!”
 
About Summit Staffing, Inc.
Summit Staffing was founded in 1986, and under Fiorella Auriemma’s leadership has grown from a single office to become one of the largest temporary staffing firms in the Midwest. Specializing in Light Industrial staffing, Summit operates a network of branch offices throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, and has developed both a loyal client base and dedicated team of temporary associates that are the keys to our success.

Summit Staffing has the experience and expertise to develop a custom staffing solution to meet our clients’ needs, ranging from customers that require a single temporary associate, to managing a 24/7 onsite operation with over 1200 temporary employees. By combining old fashioned values and work ethic with state-of-the-art technology, Summit Staffing has become the supplier of choice for hundreds of companies, large and small, throughout the Midwest including many publicly traded and international corporations.
 
About ClearlyRated
Rooted in satisfaction research for professional service firms, 
ClearlyRated utilizes a Net Promoter Score survey program to help professional service firms measure their service experience, build online reputation, and differentiate on service quality. Learn more at https://www.clearlyrated.com/solutions/.
 
About Best of Staffing

ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing® Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients and job candidates. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on ClearlyRated.com – an online business directory that helps buyers of professional services find service leaders and vet prospective firms – based exclusively on validated client and talent ratings and testimonials.


 
Contact
Analisa Gutierrez, Vice-President of Client Services
p. (630) 819-5213
analisa@summitstaffing.net
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10 Workplace Safety Statistics That May Surprise You

12/4/2019

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firefighter sitting on step with axe handle, helmet and jacket at her side

10 Workplace Safety Statistics That May Surprise You

It's no secret that accidents happen. In fact, workplace accidents happen every 7 seconds in the US on average, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Some industries, such as healthcare, construction, law enforcement, and maintenance naturally tend to have higher rates of workplace injury and illness. However, many, including the NSC, believe that the majority, if not all workplace accidents are preventable.
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Raising awareness and adhering to safety standards as outlined by OSHA are the first steps to making sure you're safe at work. So without further ado, here are some of the most surprising workplace safety statistics.

2017/18 Workplace Injury Statistics

Although 2019 is already coming to a close, the most complete, up-to-date injury data involves the years 2017-2018.
  • In 2018, there were 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses.
  • Around 9% of fatal workplace injuries were due to homicide.
  • Work injuries account for about 99 million days of lost productivity each year.
  • Ladders in the construction industry were one of the top 10 frequently cited OSHA violations.
  • While overall work fatalities were down slightly from 2017

2019 Top 5 Causes of Workplace Injuries (So Far)

Workplace injuries are mainly defined as an injury or illness that causes a worker to miss 5 or more days of work. In 2019, the top 5 workplace injuries were caused by:

  1. Overexertion: lifting, carrying, holding heavy objects can take a toll if proper form and safety measures are ignored. Overexertion was responsible for 23% of workplace injuries in 2019.
  2. Falls on the same level: this means that the injury was not caused by falls from height, such as from a scaffolding or ladder, but rather slips from spills or tripping on equipment in walkways.
  3. Struck by object: this includes equipment falling from a height.
  4. Falls to a lower level: falling from a ladder, scaffolding or other raised platform caused around 9% of workplace injuries last year.
  5. Other exertions or bodily reactions: this includes stress injuries from climbing, walking, crawling or other bodily movements.

According to most experts, most if not all workplace injuries are avoidable if you follow safety guidelines as outlined by OSHA and your employer. Cutting corners could land you in a hospital bed, so take the proper precautions, don't misuse tools/equipment, and ensure you immediately clean up spills and know proper ladder safety.

​Sources:
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2019/04/11/523397.htm
https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/case/cd_r4_2017.htm
ttps://www.nsc.org/work-safety/tools-resources/infographics/workplace-injuries
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/osh_11082018.pdf

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Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

8/19/2019

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Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What's the Difference?

When you're looking for a job, it's important to showcase to employers both hard skills and soft skills, especially during job interviews. You've probably heard these terms tossed around at some point in your job search, but what are hard and soft skills? Well, to put it easily, hard skills are things that you learn through education or training, while soft skills are personality traits that you've developed through life experiences. Here we'll go a little bit more in-depth on how to portray all of your skills to prospective employers and give examples of each.

What are Hard Skills?

Hard skills are technical abilities that are learned through education or training such as software proficiency, machinery knowledge, etc. Every industry has a minimum requirement of hard skills to obtain a particular position, which are generally easy to show off on a resume. For example, if you want to be a graphic designer, you either already know, or at least need to learn how to proficiently navigate the Adobe creative suite. If you're a welder, you know how to safely handle a torch and properly utilize all of your safety gear. These types of skills should be explicitly written out on a resume and supported by official certifications, licenses, education and previous employment experiences. You can do a deeper dive into the context of your hard skills on your cover letter and discuss how these skills will help you in a new position during the job interview.
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Some examples of commonly sought-after hard skills include, but are not limited to:
  • Multi-language proficiency
  • Database management
  • Programming languages
  • Manufacturing certifications
  • Machinery certifications
Submit Resume

What are Soft Skills?

Soft skills are a bit harder to showcase since they generally aren't supported by certifications or licenses, but instead are exhibited by the ways in which you conduct yourself.

Some of the most common soft skills include, but are not limited to:
  • Leadership
  • Effective communication skills
  • Ability to maintain interpersonal relationships
  • Creative problem-solving
  • Motivation/work ethic
  • Time management

As you can see, these skills are much harder to teach in a classroom and generally don't have proficiency tests. Sure, there are some exceptions such as taking leadership training courses, but those types of sessions won't suddenly make you a good leader overnight. As they say, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. In the same way, these types of courses can give advice on how to think about problems differently, but can't provide the necessary environment for real-world experience.​

How to Exhibit Soft Skills

It's not always easy to explain how you have a soft skill. You can't just point to your resume and say, "see? I have a certification in time management." Rather, you'll have to explain specific examples from your past employment or other life experiences. 

While including some soft skills examples on your resume and cover letter is a great idea, the most opportune time to prove your soft skills is during the job interview. Don't just rely on your cover letter -- simple things such as arriving to the interview early, grooming and dressing well, maintaining eye contact and properly articulating your experiences and how they'll be an asset to the new position all show that you're punctual, responsible, motivated, confident and well-adjusted.

Whenever you're describing your experiences within your cover letter or in-person during an interview, be sure to provide very specific examples. After all, if you were hiring a new employee, would you hire the candidate that simply states, "I have leadership experience", or the one that says, "For 3 years I managed a team of 5 employees and together we created new revenue streams by doing xyz…"? Exactly.

Bring Your Skills to Summit

If you're looking for a temporary position or a career change and possess soft and hard skills for labor, get in touch and submit your resume. Summit Staffing has worked with companies around the Midwest for over 30 years, placing the right candidates in the right positions. We'll help you discover your soft skills and find ways to market them correctly to businesses that would be the right fit for you. Get in touch today!
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