Welcome

The MacPherson Group specializes in the placement of legal professionals in major law firms, insurance and financial service companies, and biotech and patent firms. It is our goal to recruit from sources that enhance and embrace equal opportunity.

Our blog is your one stop for all things professional, from getting hired to enjoying your time off.

Do you pick the job or does the job pick you?

Has your career picked you yet? I bet that’s not ordinarily how you think of your career path but take a moment to think about it; everyone has natural strengths and weaknesses, are you really in the field that is best suited for you? What if the field that is best suited for you is one you are completely uninterested in? Happiness in a career is not solely dependent on how good you are at your job although it does play a significant part; we all seek a certain amount of accomplishment in our careers.

For most people there is probably a happy medium between natural aptitude and interest in a career. This balance is an important one to identify because the happier you are in your career, the more likely it is that you are more productive and a more pleasant person to work with. A 2010 study cited by The New York Times showed that lower job satisfaction foreshadowed poorer performance.

Consider these questions when evaluating/choosing your career:

Are you comfortable in the public eye/are you a good public speaker?

Some careers require you to be very engaged with the public. If you thrive on recognition and are a talented public speaker, maybe you should consider a career as a Spokesperson or in a Company Representative position.

How well do you handle stress?

Some people do their best work under pressure, but for others working under high stress conditions is completely unmanageable. Think about how you react to deadlines, do they stress you out entirely or do you see them as a goal or challenge? If you perform well under pressure, you might do well in a high-stress work environment like Event Coordination, Law Enforcement or as a Public Relations or a Corporate Executive.

What’s your preferred work environment?

You might not even realize it but you have a work style, and sometimes it may conflict with a career choice. What kind of working environment do you perform best in? Fast paced, or relaxed and flexible? Do you prefer a cooperative or competitive relationship with your coworkers? Working in an environment that isn’t a fit could be adding unnecessary stress to your probably already full plate.

Do you enjoy social interaction?

Some people would much prefer to work alone  than have to manage people. If you consider yourself a “people person” look for a job that allows you the opportunity to utilize this strength. Consider working in a managerial position or working in the Communications, Healthcare or Hospitality fields.

Are you looking to give back?

There are jobs out there that have a public service aspect to them, if this is a driving force of your job search, consider looking for jobs at non-profits or with the government.

People change their career paths at a variety of times in their lives. It can take some people years to find the career best suited to them while some may have known since they were children. Those of us who are no stranger to indecision know that there is no better way to make a decision than giving your options a try! Don’t be afraid to try jump into something new, you never know, it could be the best decision you ever made! Take a look Forbes’ list of the Best and Worst Jobs in 2012 for a little inspiration.

 

What You Need to Know About Re-Entering the Workforce

If you have been out of the workforce for while, or are entering it for the first time, chances are you feeling a little overwhelmed and insecure. Whether you took time off for children, education or health, entering the workplace after a long break can be quite intimidating even in the best economic times. What you might need more than anything else is a little boost of confidence. Consider doing a temp assignment or getting involved in a professional oriented activity to spruce up your skills and help ease your way back in to the workforce. Ask Joni or Ask Dan for career advice by commenting on their pages.

From College to Career

When beginning your career fresh out of college, be sure to set clear and realistic goals for yourself while considering networking. You can learn a lot from the people that are already  in your field, so be sure to ask questions. Always take notes and give yourself time to perfect your skills.

It is also important to be aware that causal dress probably doesn’t mean the same thing to you as it does your employer. As a newly graduated college student searching for your dream internship, you should present yourself the way you want to be seen;  professional, organized and competent. One of the biggest mistakes that new employees make is under dressing. When in doubt, scale back the causal.

Back to Work

 Try sprucing up your resume and refreshing your network of contacts and definitely practice your interviewing skills. Consider temp work, it might just be the perfect bridge back into professionalism. Temping can give you a chance to readapt to the working world and brush up your skills that may have gotten a little rusty.

Remember: dress the way you would like to be received. If you have been out of the workforce or are just entering it then your professional wardrobe may need an update. Keep in mind:

• Make sure your clothes fit well
• Don’t overdo the aftershave/perfume
• Save your bar clothes for the bar

If you have questions or would like some advice about your wardrobe, feel free to contact MacPherson Group’s Wardrobe Consultant, Maria Nadeev at maria@macpherson-group.com 617.262.1313

 Good luck!

January Employment Report Indicates Hope for Job Seekers

The January employment report issued by the Department of Labor last week reported an incredible increase of 243,000 jobs in January marking the biggest increase in 9 months. The report also revealed the lowest unemployment rate since 2009. This January, unemployment dropped from 8.5% to 8.3%, compared to 9.1% last August.

The private sector accounted for most of the growth although layoffs by federal agencies and local governments appear to be slowing, with reports of fewer unemployment claims. The biggest gains were in the manufacturing, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality industries.

Critics say that the positive results are not indicative of a full recovery, as the deflated housing market and underemployment remain stubborn problems. The good news is that there is a reason to be hopeful in the next couple of months. Hopefully, this report indicates the beginning of a recovery. As indicated by the report, jobs are out there, and we can help you find them. Contact the MacPherson Group today.

617 262.1313

Job Opportunities!

Check out our updated Jobs pages,  if you are interested in one of our positions, contact us today. Referrals are always welcome.

For legal positions, visit:
http://www.macpherson-group.com/positions.html

For government and administrative positions, visit:

   http://cqpersonnel.com/positions.htm        

Then and Now

In the fifties, there were rotary dial telephones and secretarial pools.  Today, there are iPads, Kindles and automated systems. When you stop to think about how fast things are going, you ask yourself “what is important?”. In the fifties one would stay in a job long enough to receive a gold watch (25 years+).

Today, the average time in a job is ten years. Still, qualities like punctuality, positivity, dedication and perseverance, continue to remain as valuable then as they are now.

Maria Nadeev, Recruiter MacPherson Group

We at the MacPherson Group also believe that in-person interaction is as genuine as communication gets. Forget the facetime app on your iPhone, sometimes what you need is a big helping of face-to-face time with a recruiter you can count on.

Make Hiring Easy – Rely on the MacPherson Group

You’re the personnel manager and in addition to your regular job, you’re now filling in for the vacationing
hiring coordinator. You have three mid-level openings, and you just received word that the legal department is gearing up for a document production project
requiring six temps. Also, your firm is looking to move to another office and you’re in charge of setting up appointments with new vendors for billing, accounting and word processing systems. What’s more, you have performance reviews coming up, new insurance coverage to review, and vacation scheduling looming. This may be the worst-case scenario, but it illustrates the stress employment managers face without the help of an employment agency.

Saving Time.

It’s no secret that screening and interviewing applicants are two of the more
time-consuming aspects of hiring. Receiving 300 resumes for an advertised
position is overwhelming and requires sifting through hundreds of pieces of
paper to find top candidates.
Scheduling interviews is a special project in itself, because the sought-after
candidate you’re trying to recruit is not always accessible. You can have the
agency handle it all, from screening resumes to scheduling interviews to
checking references. This saves you time and valuable energy. A thorough process is necessary to ensure the right decision by any hiring manager, and an agency works closely with you to identify your needs. The right agency will only present candidates qualified to perform the duties and tasks required. This will greatly reduce the time you need to spend down the line.

Zeroing in on a Winner.

Once the agency has identified for you a highly skilled pool of candidates, the process of interviewing them will be more pleasant and fruitful. Consultants will have already discussed the specifics of the job, benefits and salary, and will have
screened out unqualified applicants. The personnel manager won’t have the
tedious responsibility of reviewing all job duties with each candidate, saving
time and making for a more relaxed interview.

Checking Backgrounds.

The failure of companies like Enron and WorldCom illustrate the importance of hiring individuals with integrity. When you use a good employment agency, your consultant will begin checking references almost immediately, and by the time the candidate arrives in the client’s office, that individual has been given a stamp of approval.

Temping as Trial.

Most employers don’t want to invest thousands in salary until they’re
sure the candidate can perform the job and fit into their corporate
culture. One option many hiring managers often overlook is the temp-to-direct
hire option. Now common at all levels in most organizations, this strategy can
effectively eliminate any risk. Another benefit of hiring someone on a
temporary basis initially- the agency absorbs the financial downside if a
candidate doesn’t work out. For instance, the average cost of unemployment
insurance incurred as a result of a terminated employee is approximately $15,000.

Figuring the Costs.

Most employment agencies do all work on a contingency basis, and clients don’t have to pay unless a hire is made. Fees are generally based on a percentage of the candidate’s annual salary. A good agency should offer guarantees on all
placements. This means that if someone doesn’t work out within 30 days, 100 percent of his or her fee is refunded. But if you’ve done your homework and
hired the right agency, you’ll never have to worry.

Joni Lee Rossi

Historical Facts

Frederick Winslow Taylor

The first private employment agency in the United States, Engineer Agency, was opened in 1893 by mechanical engineer Frederick Winslow Taylor in Philadelphia. The employment agency business, however, did not catch on until 1906, when a series of agencies were developed in response to unemployment brought on by the San Francisco earthquake disaster.

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, employment agencies served as a means of combatting unemployment and helping people find jobs. Today, we like to think not much has changed.  Since 1987, our mission has been to support and encourage talent, promote diversity and create new opportunities. This mission, coupled with our tireless commitment to integrity and client services, has enabled us to consistently exceed the goals of our clients and candidates. The MacPherson Group prides itself on being a true partner in helping organizations grow, solidly and wisely.