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smartdept. inc. gets smart(er)
We’ve made some changes at smartdept. inc., and we’re so happy about them, we want to shout from the rooftops. Or at least here in this blog post.
We’re so pleased with these tweaks, we’ve taken to calling ourselves the smart(er)dept. inc. And when we’re that proud of something, we figure it’s wise to let people know what we’re up to. So, after emailing our key contacts the following news, we lifted the juiciest bits and plunked them into this blog post. (Bonus: referring people to this post may help keep our smarties from getting hoarse when talking with candidates or clients.)
Here are a handful of changes we think you should know about!
Improved Candidate Benefits – We’ve changed our Blue Cross and Blue Shield healthcare enrollment waiting period to 90 days, down from 12 months. I think it goes without saying when it comes to healthcare, offering it sooner is smart(er). We also offer 401(k) through Merill Lynch, but we’ve been doing that for a while now.
Organizational Changes – We’ve added both speed and power to the lineup! April Levins has joined our team as Accounting and Operations Manager. She is diligently working to improve many of our internal processes. Mindy Marvin has also joined our team as National Director of Sales and Strategy. Mindy is working alongside us to help grow our national presence and create strategies to support our growth.
Electronic Timecard and Approval System – Okay, so it’s not that revolutionary. But, technically, it does make us smart(er).
Recruiting Philosophy – We’ve changed our recruiting philosophy, too. I KNOW! Under this updated model we offer the same boutique approach to service locally, while adding the ability to source and recruit nationwide. (Yup, we’re fancy.)
smartdept. inc. Strategy – If explained in detail, this would most likely draw a close comparison to the effects of tryptophan on Thanksgiving Day. Just trust me, it’s smart(er).
If you’d like to find out more about how we’ve gotten smart(er), feel free to drop us a line at getsmart@thesmartdept.com. I’m confident that the minutes we spend together will be a wise investment of your time (see how I didn’t use the term smart(er) there).
smartdept. inc. Seattle moves to the historic Pioneer Building
In case you hadn’t heard, the Seattle smarties just got a shiny new office! We’ve achieved the dream of every couple on House Hunters gotten a new space in our current neighborhood. We even got the elusive open plan kitchen!
We’re now in the historic Pioneer Building on the corner of 1st and James. Don’t let the vintage exterior fool you though, inside we’ve got all the latest amenities including elevators and air conditioning! Our new building can be a little confusing if it’s your first time visiting us so here’s a crash course on how to get to the coolest staffing office in Seattle.
Once you’ve found the building (600 1st Ave), your going to have to find your way inside. At first, you might think the big, fancy doors with “Pioneer Building” written over them are the entrance, but those are just for decoration. The real entrance is the much smaller door off to the side with “Level” written on it.
Once you get inside take the first right you see and then take another right. Now you’re in front of our elevators! They may look old, but don’t worry, they’re very safe. Push the button for the sixth floor and then “door close.” Don’t forget to check yourself out in the mirror on your way up!
Once you get out of the elevator, the hard part is over. We’re across the atrium in Suite 618. You’ll know you’re in the right place because the door says smartdept. inc. and the entrance looks just like in the picture. See you soon!
smartie spotlight: Jennifer in Grand Rapids
I’m Jennifer Wallace, a Business Development Intern. I’m a lucky wife, a doting mommy of two, and an USAF intelligence veteran who graduates from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s in public relations this April.
What got you into staffing? (Or how did you become a smartie?)
I was assigned smartdept. inc. in my Advertising and Public Relations Capstone course at Grand Valley State University. I researched the staffing industry and smartdept. inc., and formulated a campaign to suit smartdept. inc.’s needs to reach a narrowed target audience in the Greater Grand Rapids Area. When I heard about this job opening, I jumped on it.
Do you have any pets?
I have a pug named Gidget and an ornery cat named Indiana “Tiny Paws” Jones. They’re both naughty.
If you were stuck on a desert island, what 3 things would you take with you?
A machete, a hunting rifle with ammo, and a case of whiskey. I would like to survive.
What is the best thing about being a smartie?
All the people I get to meet and know!
What is your favorite band?
I don’t have a favorite band, but my favorite composer is Tchaikovsky.
What is your favorite type of pizza?
Hand-tossed with garlic crust, thick-cut pepperoni, maitake mushrooms, and banana pepper slices.
What is your favorite movie?
Burn After Reading
What is your dream job (not in staffing)?
Chief Communications Officer for a large corporation or investor relations practitioner at a public relations firm that operates nationally.
Top tip for any job seeker:
Apply to jobs you’re passionate about and talk about what facets of that job interest you (and why) during the interview. Being passionate about the job and displaying your knowledge thereof will work in your favor.
smartdept. inc. is indeed Good for Grand Rapids, Business as a Force for Good
What does it feel like to be deemed “Good for Grand Rapids” you ask? It’s that moment when Grandma walks in the door with her famous blueberry pie, and she baked it just for you (it feels awesome)! When we got involved with Local First and Good for Grand Rapids, we had no idea the knowledge that the organization would be able to share with us, and the impact it would have.
The process of being recognized as a Good for Grand Rapids business was completed in two steps. We first met with Dana of Local First to learn more about the initiatives the team was working on, and how we could get involved. The second step was a bit more intricate. We completed a thorough assessment that asked for our deepest and darkest secrets i.e. environmental impact, employee satisfaction numbers, community involvement, and most importantly our dedication to our local community.
The Good for Grand Rapids initiative celebrates companies using business as a force for good. These companies have a demonstrated commitment to positive environmental and social change. They create high-quality jobs, stronger communities and a healthier Great Lakes region. To be accepted into this group of celebrated businesses after taking the assessment was certainly an honor.
Once accepted, Local First supplies you with an incredible visual tool to show you where you’re located on the scale of environmental impact, social impact, employee satisfaction, and more. The team offers multiple networking and workshop opportunities to learn and improve. Because it’s never good to stay stagnant, even when you’re GOOD – you should be working to be GREAT, right!?
On February 8th, we attended the Lakeshore Annual Meeting and Local Motion Awards, where we were recognized as one of the Top 8 Finalists in the running for the Good for Grand Rapids Awards.
We are honored to be involved with Local First and Good for Grand Rapids, and look forward to continuing our efforts of positively impacting our GR community! Good for Grand Rapids is open to all Grand Rapids local businesses and we definitely recommend getting involved, and hey, maybe we will see you at the next workshop! Information on Local First can be found at www.localfirst.com.
From the desk of Hannah Staal, smartdept. inc. Grand Rapids Branch Manager
What are the best (and worst) questions to ask during an interview?
An important part of preparing for an interview is thinking through (and writing down) questions for your interviewers. While there is such a thing as asking too many questions, coming in with a short list of smart questions will go a long way to both understand the role and impress the hiring manager. It’s always best to focus on the role, the team and company – not the vacation package.
Great questions:
- What are the biggest professional challenges that the person in this role is likely to encounter?
- What are your long term goals for this role and department?
- How is the team structured?
- How closely will I work with a supervisor or mentor?
- What types of employee tend to succeed here? OR – What qualities are most important for success in this role?
- Are there opportunities to take on new projects and challenges that may fall out of the actual job responsibilities?
- Is there any experience you’re looking for that I haven’t yet spoken to?
- What are the next steps/best way to follow up after our meeting?
Avoid asking:
- How long will it take for a promotion? (You seem like you’re only interested in climbing the ladder, not focused on being successful in the current opportunity)
- How long until I can take vacation? (Wait until offer stage or a conversation with HR to ask about benefits, PTO, etc.)
- How soon can I apply for another job here? (Don’t jump ship so quickly! Stay focused on the one position.)
- How much PTO do I get? (You shouldn’t be planning your vacation before you even get the job.)
- Flexible Schedule or special privileges (Save these for when you actually have an offer.)
- Anything generic – So…. What do you like about working in X industry? (Really, how is this helping you evaluate the job?)