With so many lay offs and major changes within the building industry in 2007 and 2008, there are well qualified candidates seeking employment – too many to count! JWilliams Staffing, the premier staffing partner and provider of real estate talent, saw a chance to help.
During the most challenging times of our era, JoAnne Williams and her team created the STARS program (Specialized Talent and Recruitment Services) last year to support the members of the building industry as they face transition. The STARS program places these qualified candidates with building industry companies seeking short term personnel to accomplish specific projects or fill in on an as needed basis, on an hourly. The categories for these positions include administrative, accounting, customer service, escrow, sales & marketing and more.
These candidates can be hired for a day, a week or a month. There is no insurance to be paid, there is no contract and no consulting fee since they are screened and provided by JWilliams Staffing. What’s also appealing is that these candidates already possess and are most times experts in the discipline needing assistance for that particular company. Candidates are not just limited to team members that came from the builders; these candidates have come from all types of businesses associated with the building industry, from landscape architects, escrow, mortgage and title, to interior design and professional model photographers.
“I was referred to JWilliams Staffing’s STARS program through a friend. I submitted my resume, spoke with JWilliams Staffing’s Corporate Director of Recruitment and Staffing and was placed immediately with Standard Pacific Homes’ Los Angeles Division”, said Sunny Woodward formerly a Marketing Director for a homebuilder based in Irvine, Calif. “It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time and the process was smooth and easy for me.”
“Our marketing manager was scheduled to be going on maternity leave and we have two communities grand opening during her absence. The STARS program was the perfect solution for our team as we needed someone of Sunny’s caliber to be able to step in without a huge amount of transition and training time required, “ commented Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Standard Pacific Homes’ Los Angeles Division, Alison Banks. “She is a great addition to our team”.
With more than 250 qualified candidate resumes in hand, and people ready to work, the biggest challenge has been getting the word out to all the builders and other industry companies that this program is available to them now. Working alongside the BIA of Southern California in order for companies to be aware of the STARS program, JWilliams Staffing launched viral email marketing and snail mail campaigns to not only candidates but companies that can utilize this as a resource.
JWilliams Staffing is continuing to facilitate free workshops that not only include resume tips, such as the upcoming “Revive Your Resume”, but also “How to Connect after Being Laid Off” and “Interviewing Skills”. Check with your local BIA or HBA for a scheduled workshop in your area.
Coming from more than 25 years of experience in homebuilding, staffing and recruitment, JoAnne Williams, President and CEO for JWilliams Staffing has created a corporate culture that is positive, supportive and focused on the future of the homebuilding industry.
Her company has been named one of the “Best Companies to Work For” in the BIA/OC’s Tribute to Excellence Spotlight Awards and JoAnne prides herself on a diverse management team that is as passionate as she is about the homebuilding industry. All of JWilliams Staffing managers play an active leadership role in their local building industry associations and sales and marketing councils.
“Our industry is re-inventing the way we approach our day to day business,” commented JoAnne. “JWilliams Staffing is not only committed to helping our industry work through these tough times, but also to thrive by supporting both the employers and the many qualified people out there wanting to work”.