USING STAFFING SERVICES FIRMS VS. GOING SOLO
A Good Staffing Services Firm Is A Valuable Partner

Many people are intrigued by the idea of working as a contractor, yet are hesitant to leave what they perceive as a more secure full-time position at a company. However, being a contractor can be a rewarding and lucrative experience, and not quite as isolating as you might think. Contracting through a staffing services firm like AESI can provide you with as many of the same perks and benefits - if not more - that you might receive by working as a full-time employee at a company.

Contract employment has an appeal on a variety of levels. Some appreciate the flexibility offered by most contract positions, particularly in terms of duration. Contractors have the ability to work on one or two projects, then take time off in between to travel, take some classes, or spend time with their family - without unduly harming their resume. Others enjoy the independence represented by contracting. Unlike working full-time for a company, contractors have more control over their career, setting their own salaries and picking and choosing the opportunities that interest them the most. And contracting often allows them to remain outside of sticky company politics. Additionally, most contractors like the fact that they can put their strongest skills to work on a project and yet still acquire new skills. And, for people who like to be challenged, working on different projects really keeps them on their toes.

Even if you decide to become a contractor, you still need to determine whether you want to represent yourself or use the services of a staffing firm. There are many advantages to working through a firm, yet this is a big decision to make, and you need to look at every angle. Here are some commonly voiced questions and concerns:

If I work as a contractor through a staffing services firm, won't I be giving up most of my control over my career?

Finding a position can be very time-consuming and chances are you do not have the time to waste chasing dead-ends or sorting through a pile of job openings hoping to find the perfect position. If you are currently working, you don't always have the ability to make calls during the workday, and unlike a recruiter at a staffing firm, you do not always have direct access to hiring managers at companies. Repeatedly calling a company to inquire about a position can also have a negative effect on your chances for landing the job as it may make you appear too eager, desperate or over-zealous. This is where a staffing service firm like AESI can be a big help to you. You don't give up your freedom to specify the salary you wish to earn, the type of position you want, or the type of company for whom you'd like to consult. We'll meet with you to discuss your objectives and requirements, and then work to match you with companies we think most accurately meet your needs. Because many recruiters have established good working relationships with the hiring managers at different companies, they may be in the best position to help you get your foot in the door. And it is not uncommon for a recruiter to know of an open position not found in the paper or online, or to work with hiring managers to actually create an opening just for a particular candidate. Additionally, while you are completing one contract, your recruiter can be looking ahead for your next contract position, allowing you to focus on the task at hand and, if desired, to ensure you have no break in work.

If a client is willing to pay a staffing services firm a mark-up over my going hourly rate, can't I just charge more and represent myself?

There is a surprising amount of work involved in managing a contract position. Contracts need to be prepared, clients invoiced, and, in the occasional instance when a client is late with a payment, follow-up calls and letters placed. Health insurance needs to be researched, implemented and the premiums paid. To avoid owing the government a huge sum of cash once April rolls around, income tax should be paid regularly during the course of the year. And because contractors only get paid for the hours they actually work, holidays and vacations may take a little more budgeting and planning.

Many contractors find that they can make better use of their time and, in the long run, make better wages working for a staffing services firm. A good recruiter will try to match you with a position that, in addition to being a perfect technical match, also pays the salary or hourly rate you request. The additional charges the client pays over this salary go towards taking care of managing contracts, benefits plans, invoicing and accounting. This way, you can spend your time putting your technical skills to good work, rather than worrying about administrative details. Any additional benefits provided by your staffing services firm, such as health insurance, holiday pay and paid time off, are generally given to you by the firm as benefits in addition to your salary.

I tried to use a staffing services firm, but the recruiters didn't know the first thing about what I do.

It is frustrating when you have to explain your skills over and over again, especially when the person you have to explain them to is the recruiter who is supposed to be helping you find that perfect position. And unfortunately, there are many recruiters out there that lack the technical skills necessary when working as a liaison between a contractor and a client company.

But there are some staffing services firms that specialize in finding positions for top-quality engineers and IT professionals. AESI, for example, was founded by an engineer specifically for the purpose of helping other engineers avoid the same pitfalls he had encountered when working with recruiters and human resource managers who lacked technical knowledge. As a result all of our recruiters have direct experience with the high-tech industry, and we pride ourselves in our ability to "speak the language."

I'm tired of being just another number to a staffing services firm.

Unfortunately, some staffing services firms have a habit of sending a mile-high stack of resumes to their clients just because they contain some of the same keywords as a particular job description. But a good firm believes in providing a client with quality over quantity, and takes the time to carefully review resumes and screen potential candidates. At AESI, we take the time to get to know the mission and the goals of both you and our clients so we can help make the best match.

There are so many staffing services firms out there. How do I go about finding a good one?

One of the best ways to find a good firm is to talk with friends or colleagues who have had experience using one. Ask them who they have used, and who they feel worked or did not work so well for them. Also ask them why. Because everyone has different needs, it is very possible that a firm that did not work well for one person will still work well for another.

Take the time to research the firm. Surf their website, if they have one. Pay attention to how they treat you. Are they interested in you as an individual with unique traits and skills? Or are they more interested in you as a body to fill a position, any position? There are some staffing firms that bombard a client with resumes, sometimes without a the candidate's approval, assuming that at least a handful of the resumes they send will meet the client's requirements. This is unfair to both the contractor and the client. A good staffing services firm closely analyzes open positions and resumes, looking for the perfect match. Furthermore, a good firm will recognize that the perfect match means that not only the skills of the contractor fit the position, but that the personality of the contractor fits in well with company culture.

When meeting a recruiter, don’t let the recruiter interview you without you taking the time to interview him or her. Ask the recruiter how long he or she has been actively recruiting. Find out what technical qualifications he or she has that will help you find the best position. Ask about the firm’s clients. Who are they? How many positions has the firm filled with the average client? Find out if the firm has a mission statement, and if so, does it match your personal goals and objectives? Most importantly, try to get a sense as to whether or not the firm is committed to helping you find a job, rather than merely interested in the dollars you represent.

Taking the step into contract employment may be one of the biggest and exciting career moves you’ll ever make. You’ll have the opportunity to use your technical skills on a variety of projects, enjoy more flexibility in your schedule, and maintain a good degree of independence in your career. A staffing services firm can be a terrific partner as you develop and grow as a contractor, provided you make sure that the firm you choose has your best interests at heart. The recruiters at AESI are dedicated to helping contractors find the best contract positions, as well as to helping our clients and their customers achieve exceptional and sustainable results by delivering to them the right people at the right place at the right time. To find out more about how AESI can help you further your contracting career, check out our website at www.aesi.com or call one of our recruiters at 408-733-AESI (2374).

CRSS BRINGS CLASSFIED TECHNOLOGY TO THE COMMERCIAL WORLD

Amazing technology is being invented and created right under our noses every day here in the Silicon Valley, making this a terrific time to be working as a high-technology consultant. Perhaps one of the most exciting projects is the Commercial Remote Sensing System (CRSS), under development at Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space in Sunnyvale, California. CRSS is a high-resolution imaging satellite designed for commercial use that will have the ability to deliver one-meter resolution panchromatic (grey-scale) images and four-meter resolution four-band multi-spectral (color) images. Resolution this high in a commercial satellite is unprecedented, with the highest level of detail currently available commercially at five-meters.

Rather than converting existing classified satellites into commercial satellites, the purpose of the CRSS program is to design and deploy satellites specifically for commercial use Ð satellites not time-shared between the government and commercial sectors. The possibilities for the use of its imagery products are endless, including, but definitely not limited to, detailed mapping, urban development, environmental surveys, natural disaster assessments, commercial planning, agriculture monitoring, and real estate evaluations.

Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space hired several consultants through AESI to play an active role in the final stages of CRSS development. Among these consultants are software engineers and software testers, hired to work on the development and testing of the flight software used in controlling the positioning and movements of the satellite. Also hired through AESI were test technicians and engineers who have been given the responsibility of testing the pieces of the satellite as they are being assembled and integrated with the other parts of the satellite in preparation for its launch.

Testing the satellite can be a lengthy and involved process. An acoustic test is a type of environmental test which examines the effects of sound and vibration on the satellite, a test crucial for making sure the satellite will survive the stress of a rocket launch. During a thermalvac test, another important environmental test, the effects of heat and cold on the satellite are tested. Because of the satellite’s position in space, it will be subjected to both extremes of temperature, and it is important to ensure that the heating systems on the satellite are functioning properly. One malfunction can damage an orbiting satellite beyond repair.

In addition to testing the effects the environment can have on the satellite, AESI consultants were brought on to design and conduct EMI and EMC testing, as well as assist in the testing of radio frequency (RF) components. Because there is little that can be done in the way of repairs once the satellite is launched, it is important to make sure that the satellite is capable of receiving and transmitting signals properly.

Satellite owner Space Imaging EOSAT (www.spaceimaging.com) is preparing to launch the satellite, dubbed IKONOS 1, in March of 1998. The first pictures taken by IKONOS 1 can be expected within six weeks of the launch date. Plans for a second satellite, IKONOS 2, are already under way.

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GIVE YOURSELF (AND YOUR HANDS) A BREAK

Repetitive Strain Injuries Can Cause Serious Damage To Your Hands

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), also referred to as Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD), is a type of injury occurring with increasing frequency in the workplace. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tendinitis (usually affecting the wrist and hand) are two of the most commonly recognized RSIs, but injuries such as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (shoulder and upper arm), De Quervain’s Syndrome (side of wrist and base of thumb) and Tenosynovitis (hands and shoulder) are also common. RSI can be caused by a variety of culprits, including extended typing on a keyboard or use of a mouse, improper placement of the keyboard or monitor, chairs that are too low or high for the body, and cradling the phone between your ear and shoulder. While these things alone may not seem too serious, they can cause undue strain on your body when they occur repeatedly, sometimes resulting in injuries. And unlike a sprain or a cut, RSI can take a long time to heal.

Common symptoms of RSI include (but are not limited to) numb, tingling or cold hands; tightness, discomfort, stiffness or pain in the hands, wrists, fingers, forearms or elbows; and loss of strength or coordination in the hands. If you find yourself constantly rubbing or massaging your arm, wrist or hand, or if you wake up with pain or numbness in your hand or wrist, pay attention; these are also early warning signs of RSI. If you notice any of these symptoms, see a physician immediately.

RSI is much more easily prevented than cured. One way to help yourself is to make sure you are taking breaks from repetitive tasks, such as typing or mouse-work. It is easy to get caught up in the volume of work you have, but slipping in five minutes of rest each hour is an easy thing to do, and ultimately you will find yourself to be more productive. Use the five minutes to do some stretches, use the restroom or walk around the office. Or, if you really feel that you cannot take the time out from work, try switching to another task for a few minutes, just to break up the monotony of what you are doing. Return phone calls, for example, or go through the mail in your in-box.

There are several good stretches you can do to help strengthen and/or exercise your body. The Internet is an excellent resource for stretches, but make sure that the stretches are recommended by a reputable source. Shelter Publications (www.shelterpub.com), a company that publishes several books on stretching and exercising, has a particularly excellent site. From the Shelter Publications homepage, you can link to excerpts from their books, demonstrating stretches that can be done at your desk, at the copier, while waiting for your computer to dial onto the Internet, and even while sitting on an airplane. All of these stretches are effective and can easily be done in an office environment, not taking more than five minutes to accomplish.

Perhaps the most important preventative method for avoiding RSI is a well-designed work space. When arranged properly, a good work space can go a long way towards helping you avoid RSI and towards making your time at work more comfortable and productive. Because everyone is different in their physical build and in the type of work that they do, a work space that works well for one person might not be the best work space for another. Therefore, it is impossible to describe the perfect arrangement. One of the best ways to make sure your work area is arranged appropriately is to ask for the services of a professional ergonomist. An ergonomist can come into your work area and give you recommendations for the best way to arrange your chair, keyboard and monitor to help you avoid RSI. They will focus on you personally, making sure that your individual setup is the most appropriate for you.

If you are diagnosed with an RSI, there are several methods of treatment that might be prescribed by your physician. While complete rest of the injured limb would be extremely helpful, it is not very practical for anyone who needs to work to make a living. Therefore, many physicians may suggest the limited use of a splint or wrist brace for a few weeks while doing repetitive tasks to give your overworked tissues a chance to rest. But be aware that splints can be overused. Like all the muscles, the tissues in your wrist and hand need to be used or they will become weak. A splint might work well in the initial treatment of acute cases of RSI, but it is generally not recommended for continued, long-term use.

In many cases, the physician may prescribe the services of a physical or occupational therapist, who will work with you on stretches and strengthening exercises or relaxation techniques. Depending on your situation, you may be advised to seek the services of a professional massage therapist or chiropractor. In the worst-case scenario, surgery to relieve the pain of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may be recommended, though many studies show that an ergonomically-designed work space and use of physical therapy, stretches and rest breaks may be better than surgery when it comes to eliminating your symptoms and putting you on the road to recovery.

RSI is something best stopped before it starts, and avoiding it can be relatively simple. Take the time to stretch periodically during the day. Take breaks from repetitive tasks and make sure that your work space is set up to provide you with both a comfortable and productive environment. Most importantly, pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you feel you have any symptom of an RSI, see your physician immediately. Remember that you only have one pair of hands, and it is important that you take very good care of them.

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Summer Picnic Makes Huge Splash! Over 100 team members and their families enjoyed the clear skies and sunny weather over Marine World Africa USA at this year’s AESI Summer Picnic. Party-goers at the August 16 event saw exciting and sometimes strange shows and attractions featuring killer whales, dolphins, tigers, sea lions, water-skiers and more. And everyone still found time to gather at the picnic site to eat and drink to their hearts content. Congratulations to door-prize winners Kim Forrester, Greg Wood, Lynda Weiss Kleinman, Chad Mardesich, Bret Furtado, Tisha Pastega, Carol Youri, TJ Hoffman, Mel Pastega, Katie Hoffman, Bob Ottaviano, Jason Lloyd and Carine Pastega.

Ready, Set, Grow! Our internal team just gets bigger and bigger. Next time you’re in the office, say hello to our new General Manager and V.P. of Operations, Anita Hendrickson, who joined us in October and to new Staffing Consultants Andrew Carwithen and Joel Kleinman, who joined our recruiting team this summer. Also new to our internal team is Mindy Pasternak, who joined AESI in May as our new Marketing Coordinator.