Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

2010 is upon us, can you believe it? It feels like the whole world is breathing a collective sigh of relief that 2009 is almost over, kaput, out the back door. We're moving onwards and upwards here at Blaine and Associates, Inc. and we are very excited about the prospects for the year ahead!

And in that vein, we actually have a ton of new job listings to start the new year off right! If you feel you are perfect for any of these, please email us your resume ASAP!

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT - $50K-$65K
CFO of an exciting up-and-coming telecommunications company in need of professional assistant with 3-5 years similar experience to handle busy calendar, travel arrangements, create presentations and attend meetings on boss's behalf. MSW, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook plus excellent written skills and client services. College degree and background in telecommunications, finance or previous experience working for a CFO preferred.

FULL-CHARGE BOOKKEEPER - $45K-$60K
Experienced with setting up charts of accounts, cost of goods, budgets, payroll, A/P, A/R and inventory control? This prominent LA manufacturing firm wants you! QuickBooks, Excel and MSW plus 3-5 years similar experience.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT FOR "C" SUITE - $45K-$60K
This is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work for an investment banker and inventor as they launch a revolutionary new product. You will set-up and run the office, implement systems, and assist as they hire sales and tech staff, designers, producers and additional administrative support personnel. Must have a college degree and 2-4 years administrative experience, excellent references, MSW, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. This is a career opportunity, not just a "job!"

SALES SUPPORT - $25K
International hospitality agency in need of experienced professional with strong inside sales and customer service skills to handle high-volume incoming calls. You will take a proactive role in processing travel agents requests on behalf of the District Sales Manager, handle all administrative duties and work on telemarketing-targeted tactical sales campaigns. This is an entry-level position with excellent opportunities for advancement.

ACCOUNTING CLERK - $55K-$70K DOE
Westwood financial institution looking for an accounting clerk with 5+ years relevant experience. Duties include accounts payable, billing and cash transactions as well a wide array of clerical duties related to the efficient maintenance of the department. Bachelors degree plus MS Word, Excel and Outlook a must, QuickBooks preferred. Must be able to multi-task and work to deadline without supervision. Full benefits.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - $44K-$55K
Brand new opportunity with prestigious Century City financial firm. Must have at least 2 years experience in an administrative support role, preferable within a financial firm. Excellent customer service skills and the ability to juggle busy phones, meeting and greeting clients and visitors, and a wide array of administrative tasks - everything from setting up the conference room for presentations to filing, ordering office supplies and typing correspondence. Stock market hours!

New Job Listings

What better holiday present could you ask for than a brand new job?

SALES SUPPORT - $25K
International hospitality agency in need of experienced professional with strong inside sales and customer service skills to handle high-volume incoming calls. You will take a proactive role in processing travel agents requests on behalf of the District Sales Manager, handle all administrative duties and work on telemarketing-targeted tactical sales campaigns. This is an entry-level position with excellent opportunities for advancement.

ACCOUNTING CLERK - $50K-$60K
Westwood financial institution looking for an accounting clerk with 5+ years relevant experience. Duties include accounts payable, billing and cash transactions as well a wide array of clerical duties related to the efficient maintenance of the department. Bachelors degree plus MS Word, Excel and Outlook a must, QuickBooks preferred. Must be able to multi-task and work to deadline without supervision. Full benefits.

Hospitality Job Listing!

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - $31K
International hospitality firm HQ'd in West Los Angeles seeking motivated administrative assistant to support busy customer service department. Accounting experience a plus. 1-2 years as assistant/secretary/clerk, attention to details, self-motivated, excellent organization. MS Office proficient.

Lots of New Job Orders!

Hold on your hats, people.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT - $50K+ DOE
Glendale firm seeking experienced assistant who is also a "tech geek" to work in the wonderful world of fashion. You will assist the President of the company with complex marketing presentations, financial reports and analysis, heavy calendaring and travel arrangements. The ideal candidate would be out of the investment/venture capital industry and looking for a more creative endeavor. Advanced MS Office - lightweights need not apply.

SECRETARY - $50K
High energy secretary needed to assistant two Senior Partners in Century City business management firm. Heavy interaction with A-list clientele so excellent communication skills a must. Overtime required as needed. Must have heavy MS Word and Excel skills and good job stability. Background in business management preferred. Amazing benefits.

STAFF ACCOUNTANT - OPEN DOE
Several positions available with a top tier CPA firm in Woodland Hills. Office is rapidly expanding and need the staff to match. Must have 1-3 years experience as a tax and audit professional. H1B and/or CPA. Fast track opportunity for advancement in a growth-oriented environment. Team work philosophy emphasizing quality of life. Excellent benefits including 401(k) and profit sharing.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES
Luxury hospitality firm has several open positions for "travel trainees" for their call center. Heavy phones, customer service skills and data entry. High School degree and some college preferred. Minimum 1 year experience in a travel-related industry would be ideal. Compensation includes incentives, full benefits and travel perks.

New Job Openings!

DIRECTOR OF SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT & TRAINING - TO $120K
International hospitality firm seeking very specialized Director to report to Senior VP. BS. in Marine Engineering, Environmental Management or related field preferred plus 10-15 years experience in the commercial marine industry, or at least three stripes on commercial ship and five years shore side marine experience. Certified Internal Auditor for ISM and ISO 14001 audits a must. MS Office and Adobe Acrobat a plus.

MARKETING/SALES COORDINATOR - $35K-$45K DOE
Are you an early bird? Then this 4:30am-2:30pm position might be perfect! Minimum 2 years secretarial/administrative support experience preferably with an investment background. Must be detailed, organized, a quick learner and have the ability to multi-task. College degree in Business, Finance, Marketing or Communications a must. MS Office proficient. Full benefits from Day One!

And... Happy Halloween!!!

Fancy Job Listing - Research Assistant in the Bay Area

This is a new one, both literally and figuratively. A major international non-profit initiative headquartered in the Bay Area is seeking a Research Assistant with at least 1-3 years experience in the biomedical field, preferably with an emphasis on virology/infectious diseases. This position is part hands on research, part departmental support and requires heavy interfacing with institutions, governmental agencies and university departments. Windows and Mac OS proficient, MS Office, SAS, SPSS and other statistical packages a plus. Salary is $50K + DOE. A once in a lifetime job opportunity for the right background!

Who's Hiring?

Hot question. On the surface, it doesn't seem like anyone is still hiring these days, as any of you who have done the countless job fairs and resume workshops can attest. However, there are still jobs to be had in this new economic world of ours. I've been doing some research and come up with some tips on how to target companies that might be hot to hire!

1. Government Contracts are all the rage. In an effort to stimulate the economy, billions of dollars have been pumped into government programs and the companies lucky enough to get a contract for one of these projects are flush with hiring cash. Look for companies who specialize in defense contracting, scientific research and road/infrastructure planning and construction.

2. Top-Tier IT Firms. With the smaller, less stable competition folding, the big guns in the IT industry are stronger than ever. A few of them (names withheld to protect the innocent) never implemented the hiring freezes that have been almost standard across the country in the last year. In addition those the heavy hitters, companies that specialize in social networking, cell phone entertainment and applications, and data transfer and storage companies are stronger than ever.

3. Mid-Range Retailers. Again, I'm not dropping any names, but the larger, "family-priced" clothing retailers are still recording profits across the board. Corporate headquarters for one prominent corporation (in the Bay Area, hint hint) have pages of career openings on their website...

4. Utility Companies have always been hot here in California, the country's most populous state, where providing heat, water and natural gas to our 37 million residents is a constant challenge. With the current trend towards "green" efficiency, companies are starting to pump big dollars into revamping their processes now in order to save money later.

5. Sad to say, but the foreclosure crisis has led to an upswing for Rental and Storage Companies. As families move out of their homes into (hopefully) temporary apartments, the bulk of the "stuff" needs to go into storage. And as people move all across the country following jobs and family, do-it-yourself moving solutions from rental trucks to POD transportation have noticed a sharp increase in 2009.

6. Companies that help you save money. No-brainer, right? Only what are these companies? Primarily web-based (and free to use), there's been a massive increase in sites dedicated to balancing your budget, cutting household costs and helping you find the best deal. Advertising dollars are pouring in as user registration hits an all-time high.

These are just of the few of the industries that came up in my research. If you haven't reached out to any of them, I suggest you make sure your resume lands on a desk sometime soon!

Legal Jobs Now Available!

We have two brand new job listings with a prestigious West LA law firm. If you have at least 3 years similar experience, these positions might be perfect for you!

PROBATE/LITIGATION SECRETARY - $60K
Flexible hours and excellent benefits are just two of the perks of this position. Would be working with the senior litigator at the firm as his right-hand assistant.

FAMILY LAW LEGAL SECRETARY - $60K
Tough, fast, multi-talented assistant for one of the busiest desks at the firm. Solid WordPerfect and Time Matters software skills a plus. Excellent benefits.

Fluent in Japanese?

We are searching for fluent English-Japanese bilinguals for a several day assignment starting late next week. Pay is $13/hour. Downtown location doing registration data entry. Call or email ASAP! (310) 785-9670.

Hot Off the Job Order Press!

BUSINESS SYSTEMS MANAGER - $DOE
National real estate conglomerate seeks highly experienced business manager for greater Los Angeles area. Must have at least 8 years as Project Manager or Business Analyst, B.S. in Computer Sciences, Engineering or a related field. MBA preferred. This is an opportunity to get in with one of the fastest growing companies in Southern California. If you have the right background, this could be your dream job!


RECEPTIONIST/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - $40K-$45K
Brand new opportunity with prestigious Century City financial firm. Must have at least 2 years experience in a receptionist/administrative support role, preferable within a financial firm. Excellent customer service skills and the ability to juggle busy phones, meeting and greeting clients and visitors, and a wide array of administrative tasks - everything from setting up the conference room for presentations to filing, ordering office supplies and typing correspondence. Personality is key for this position: a warm smile and a great attitude could land you the job!


EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT - $35K-$50K DOE
A-List entertainment company in need of executive assistant with a marketing background to support key player. This is not merely a support position - you must be an idea person, able to come up with new marketing ideas to present to the company as well as execute a variety of administrative tasks. If you can be a jack-of-all-trades, this might be the perfect company for you!

To Temp or Not To Temp

That IS the question. Or more accurately, what I've been hearing a lot on the phone recently: What is temping?

Good question!

Temp work is a lot of things. A temporary way to fill an office position while the company searches for a full-time employee, a substitute for vacation time and sick days, a new position for a short-term project where hiring a full-time employee isn't feasible or practical. Usually, assignments are full days, regular business hours, and can last anywhere from a day to several weeks or months. Heck, we even have some temps who have been on assignments for years!

Why would anyone want to stay on a temp job for months or longer?

Everyone has their own reasons for temping. Some people are looking for cash flow while they search for a full-time position, others are happy to have a "day job" while they follow other pursuits and enjoy feeling that their time away from their job is their own.

Who temps?

Who doesn't? We have actors and actresses who like the flexibility of short term assignments because they can turn down a job if it conflicts with an audition or acting gig. We have temps who are new to the work force - just out of school and looking for experience in a difficult job market. We have people who are looking for a career change who need to develop skills in a new field. We have people who have "regular" job and do night and weekend special event and convention work with us for extra cash. See? Who doesn't temp?

But do I need to have any special skills to be a temp with Blaine and Associates, Inc?

Not particularly. We are looking for applicants with all levels of experience, education and computer skills. Administrative positions - as well as specialized legal, IT and accounting positions - require MS Word and Excel as well as typing proficiency, but we also staff receptionists, office assistants and registration staff that don't require anything more than a professional appearance and a great attitude.

Um, okay. So I'm ready to temp. What do I do?

Give us a call (310.785.0560) or shoot us an email. Ask for Gretchen who does all our appointment scheduling and she will set you up. Yes, it is that easy!

Even More Job Listings! - Administrative Assistant Edition

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - $50K-$60K
High-profile investment firm looking for an assistant to support three executives. Average day would entail special projects, correspondence, coordinating meetings and PowerPoint presentations as needed. You must be able to keep up with the frenetic pace of this office where the ability to switch gears and multi-task are worth their weight in gold. 3-5 years similar experience. Financial or investment background a plus. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. College degree preferred.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - $40K-$45K
Busy Westwood real estate office seeks administrative support. College degree, 2+ years commercial real estate experience, high energy, team player, love client interaction. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Over the top benefits and fun work environment.

Job Listings!

They are coming fast and furious now!

EXECUTIVE CHEF - $120K
High-profile client seeking experienced personal chef with a background in organic and sustainable produce with a southern cooking background. Duties include menu planning, budgeting, shopping, in addition to MS Word and Outlook skills.

EXECUTIVE PERSONAL ASSISTANT - $60K-$80K DOE
International trade and tourism agency seeking an experienced assistant for its North American director. Must have 15+ years similar experience, shorthand or fast notes and be familiar with the travel or transportation industries. This is a position for the consummate professional: the ability to multi-task and see projects through to completion are integral to the job.

New Job Openings!

Recession? What recession? :)

Regional Marketing Manager - $150K-$200K DOE

East coast-based law firm seeks region marketing manager for their Century City office to partner with attorneys locally and across the firm to develop and execute targeted marketing and business development initiatives. Minimum three years marketing management experience. A fantastic opportunity to contribute to the overall success of the firm.


Part-Time Administrative Assistant - $15/hour
Work for two very successful real estate deal makers who have just branched out on their own. They are looking for an articulate, smart, computer savvy assistant. You will answer phones, type correspondence, keep business calendars and design presentations on PowerPoint. Hours are flexible. Good position for college student. Looking for 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM or 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. There will be overtime, but not often. This position is immediate and interviews start tomorrow.


Personal Secretary - $40K-$43K

Private, in-home secretary for Beverly Hills professional. Must have an excellent eye for detail and be able to anticipate client's needs. Social and business correspondence, calendaring, domestic and international travel arrangements, interact with household staff and vendors, light bookkeeping and other personal tasks as needed. Ideal candidate has 15+ years secretary experience and a stable work history.

Resume Workshop from our President

(Carrie Blaine is the president of Blaine and Associates, Inc. She has thirty years experience in the staffing industry.)

With the job market only slightly improving these days, you need to make yourself stand out - stand out with a great resume, a great cover letter and a quality, aggressive follow-up.

The Internet seems to offer unlimited amounts of positions today - Monster, Craigslist to CareerBuilder and Jobs.com, but how many of you are sending your resume off into that big, black hole never to hear one word from a prospective employer?

Let me help you. Here are my resume "must do's" to get yourself seen on the job boards:

1. A cover letter cannot have mistakes - you will not get the job. Proofread your letter. Have your friend proofread your letter. Have your mother proofread your letter.

Make your letter an amazing story. Make your letter an invitation to call you. Tell a potential employer what makes you a standout. If you are applying for an Executive Assistant to a CEO or President, you'd better have skills far beyond an ordinary assistant - TELL THEM.

For instance, you could say something like:

"My social intelligence is probably the one area my former boss would tell you that I surpassed all of his other assistants. I am as comfortable with Warren Buffett as I am with Snoop Dog. I pride myself on my ability to work with all people, at all levels and all walks of life."

Then give an example:

"I traveled with Mr. Boss to the World Economic Summit in Munich, Germany last year and handled his dinner parties, his press conferences and scheduled and attended meetings with various heads of state and industry."

Granted, most jobs aren't this exciting, but each position has a unique set of skills and responsibilities that made you so good at the job. Tell your future employer. Boast on yourself - no one else can.

2. Print out the job description you are interested in from the Internet. Compare your skills on your resume to the skills they are requesting. If the job description has "keeping busy calendars for 'C' level executives" as the first call of duty, you'd better make that the first bullet point on your resume. By the way, I am suggesting that all resumes be done in a "bullet" format so you can switch responsibilities around as requested on the job order. Here is a typical example of a job posting on the Internet:

Provide administrative support to the President and CEO, including overseeing calendars, scheduling appointments, screening phone calls, responding to mail and emails, writing correspondence, proposals and retainer agreements, preparing presentations and assisting with marketing and other special projects.

Qualified applicant will have 5+ years of experience in a similar position. Applicant should be detail oriented, have excellent verbal and writing skills, be able to multi-task and prioritize assignments in a deadline-driven environment. Also, applicant should be familiar with Microsoft, Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint. ACT! Database knowledge is a plus, but we are willing to train the right candidate. Only applicants with a stable work history will be considered.

Please submit resume with cover letter in Word format.

Wonderful. So your resume should look like this:

Walter Campo and Associates, Los Angeles, CA
September 2003 - Current
Executive Assistant for President of biotech firm

Responsibilities include:
4Oversee business and personal calendars
4 Schedule meetings and appointments
4 Screen heavy phones
4 Compose and draft correspondence, proposals, agreements and presentations
4 Assist with marketing and other projects as needed.

Bottom line: you can change a bullet formatted resume around. Make your responsibilities line up with the job order. If the job mentions heavy travel arrangements or expense reporting first, make those the first bullets in your resume's job description. Change your resume on each job you apply for on the Internet. Don't be lazy - be right on target.

3. If you have a Facebook or MySpace page, make sure it is clean and nothing on it can incriminate you. I had a young man lose a great job because of a posting on his page using foul language and mentioning drinking and drugs. Clean up your act. All of my clients "google" candidates now and anything you have posted that you think is questionable, take it off. Take it off the Internet before you send your resume out.

4. Make sure you have all the correct dates of employment on your resume. Attach a reference list if you have outstanding references from top management. A reference from an owner, President, CEO, CFO goes a long way. Companies are doing background checks today. Make sure your information is correct on your resume. Don't even stretch the truth a little - a little could cost you a lot.

5. Don't waste your time applying to positions you are not qualified for. For each ad I run on CareerBuilder, Craigslist, Jobs.com or any other Internet job board, I receive no less than 500 resumes. 500! And out of those 500, at least 300 are deleted immediately. If a job requires a 4-year degree, you must have a 4-year degree. If a job requires finance or accounting experience, you must have experience in finance or accounting. Now is not the time to try and make a switch in your career. Apply for what you know. Apply for what you can get. Apply for the RIGHT JOB RIGHT NOW. You can try something different when the job market opens back up. And it will.

If you would like some assistance or some suggestions with your resume, please feel free to ask us for some help. Blaine and Associates, Inc. would be happy to assist you in these difficult times.

Brand Spanking New Job Order!

Executive Assistant/Office Manager in Bay Area - $55K-$65K

This is an opportunity of a lifetime for a recent college grad with a degree from a top tier school - Berkeley, Stanford, Yale, Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, etc., to work for a non-profit that is changing the way we help the world.

The CEO is seeking an ambitious humanitarian with a passion for people, the planet, and animals. You will work as his executive assistant and also the office manager. Your major responsibilities will be keeping hectic calendars, scheduling appointments, assisting with special projects and presentations, being the "go to" person with any problems with computers, copiers, vendors, messengers, insurance, supplies, planning lunches and other special events.

Skills required: maturity, multi-tasking, MSW, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, 1 -2 years office experience supporting an executive (internships are considered excellent experience), non-profit background, great personality, exceptional client service skills and the desire to work your way up in a rapidly growing non-profit company.

Please submit your resume immediately. We are looking to interview and hire within the next two weeks.

We're Moving!

It's moving day here at Blaine and Associates, Inc.! Don't worry, we're not going far - just six floors down, to be exact.

With a lovely new view of the Century Park Towers plaza, we're looking forward to getting into our new suite!

As of August 1, 2009 our new address will be:

Blaine and Associates, Inc.
2029 Century Park East, Suite 438
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 785-0560
(310) 785-9670 (fax)
http://www.blaineandassociates.com

New suite, new view, same Blaine!

More New Job Listings? Why, yes!

Executive Assistant - $60K-$65K

Executive assistant with a solid resume (i.e., no gaps) to work for great financial team with Downtown Los Angeles firm. Expense reporting, multiple calendars, travel arrangements, correspondence and lots of presentation work on PowerPoint. Strong MS Word and Excel skills as well. College degree preferred and experience in financial field a plus. There will be an extensive background check. Please provide references, salary history and writing samples with resume.


Receptionist - $32K-$35K

Receptionist for growing West LA entertainment management firm. Answer heavy phones, schedule conference rooms, cater lunches, greet clients, handle all messenger and delivery services. Assist with special projects as needed. Must have good job stability, excellent references and an outgoing personality.


F/C Bookkeeper - $42K-$50K

Are you an accountant with band tour experience? If you can keep up with his group and watch all travel, payroll, insurance, equipment and miscellaneous expenses, this job is waiting for you. 3+ years tour experience preferred. Datafaction. Excellent benefits and lots of room for growth.

The Entry-Level Entertainment Position You've Been Waiting For!

ENTERTAINMENT ASSISTANT - $45K

If your greatest strength is keeping track of some of the busiest executives in the business, this position has your name written all over it. You will keep the calendar of four executives, booking every meeting, every social event and all travel arrangements. Today Japan, tomorrow Italy. There is no slowing down.

This position requires brains, speed and excellent client service skills, as well as Outlook and MSW. Blue chip benefits and lots of benefits working for one of the most successful entertainment firms in the business.

Job Listings in West Los Angeles

One of the fastest growing firms in the world has several immediate openings in their Westwood offices!

PERSONAL ASSISTANT - $50K+ DOE
The term "personal assistant" probably doesn't do this position justice. What's really needed is a right hand for the lead litigation attorney. You must be able to multi-task, juggle several projects at once and never, ever drop the ball. Correspondence, document tracking, databases. MSW, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. College degree preferred but can be bypassed with the right experience. Amazing benefits with bonus potential!

ASSISTANT WEALTH MANAGER - $40K-$45K
Assistant needed for two executive wealth managers in charge of all investments for the company. Background in private wealth management or an investment firm a must, as well as excellent client service background. Must be meticulous enough to set up and maintain extensive filing system, start a database of contacts type correspondence and not be intimidated by a powerhouse of clientele. MSW, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. Excellent benefits package.

Job Listings!

Executive Assistant (San Francisco) - $60K-$75K+ DOE

President of a global nonprofit initiative seeks experienced, dedicated executive/personal assistant for administrative support, scheduling, coordinating, managing expense reports, invoicing, travel arrangements and vendor management. 3-5 years experience, preferably in fast-paced, start up environment, nonprofit or science related firm. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook. College degree preferred - BS/BA degree in business administration and/or science.

Full-Charge Bookkeeper - $45K-$60K

Westside management firm in need of a full-charge bookkeeper. Experience with a touring band a must! Great mix of business and pleasure for this position if your background matches their needs. Datafaction a plus.

Wild June!

It was a wild month here at Blaine and Associates! Not only have we seen a significant increase in requests for temporary employees, our Special Events division was busier than ever! We staffed a major Stop Smoking campaign in conjunction with the State Board of Health and several non-profit agencies, placing almost 50 of our applicants at locations throughout Los Angeles County. Reports from our temps said the assignment was "exhilarating" and "loads of fun."

Not bad for a temp job, eh?

Then just this past weekend we staffed the 2009 BET Awards: 102 staffers in all. Always a massive event, this year's ceremony coming on the heels of Michael Jackson's death was particularly so. Our employees ended up with a bird's eye seat for the Jackson tribute, and a story to tell for years to come.

Also not bad for a temp job, eh?

And that's just a sneak peek at our events schedule. For a full breakdown of what's happening in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas, please check out the Special Events/Convention Calendar on our website!

Bottom line: there is still work to be had! Interested in joining our temp roster? Give our office a call at 310-785-0560 to schedule an appointment!

New Job Listings!

FULL CHARGE BOOKKEEPER - $60K
Immediate opening in Century City for bookkeeper with at least 3 years experience. You must be excellent with general ledgers and monthly investment reports as well as Datafaction and Excel and possess customer service skills as there will be heavy interaction with investors. A/P, A/R, expense reports, etc.


OFFICE MANAGER/ACCOUNTANT - $80K-$90K
West Hollywood design firm is losing their long-time office manager who will be picking and training the replacement. On the accounting side - financials, payroll, invoicing, A/P and A/R, reconciliations, balance sheets, P/L reports, general ledger and journal entries. On the office manager side - vacation, benefits, vendors, heavy calendaring in Outlook. Design background is a plus!

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS!

We are looking for about 30 temps to work as Promotion Specialists for us!!

This is a one week promotion starting this Friday, June 12th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon for training and then continuing on Monday, June 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19. The hours are 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM for this week. You will be working at retail grocery stores throughout Los Angeles handing out a new product and directing anyone interested in the product to the pharmacy area to register for a free product survey.

You may pick a location closest to your home or work. We will try to locate you as close to your request as possible. We are looking for people in Canoga Park, Castaic, Cerritos, Downey, El Segundo, Encino, Gardena, Glendora, Granada Hills, Hermosa Beach, Hollywood, Lakewood, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Northridge, Pasadena, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Stevenson Ranch, Torrance, Valencia and Whittier.

You are required to stand during these hours and address incoming shoppers politely. You must dress professionally and enjoy interacting with lots of people.

Please call (310) 785-0560 and ask for Sheldon or email us at jobsla@blainepersonnel.com with your name, phone number and the easiest way to contact you to schedule an appointment for either today, Wednesday or Thursday. We are seeing people at 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 6:30 PM this week. Please let us know what time works best for you. It will only take about 30 minutes to fill out the required payroll forms and tell you all about the position you will be working in.

Off Time

We're not all nose to the grindstone here at Blaine and Associates, Inc. Our employees come from a diverse background and enjoy a rich life outside of the office. Their extracurricular activities bring a lot to the table, and enhances the role each employee plays.

One such example is our Administrator Gretchen McNeil. A classically trained opera singer, Gretchen currently sings with Cirque Berzerk, L.A.'s only resident circus troupe. Their new show "Beneath" opens under the big top in LA's historic State Park downtown on June 18, 2009 and runs through Fourth of July weekend.

We'll all be there, and so should you!

Job Listings!

BROKER/FINANCIAL ADVISOR – $DOE
Did you make $200K last year? Want to double it? Major investment firm is growing and eager to hire a staff of 6-10 accomplished brokers with established book of business. Ideal candidate has a proven track record of interfacing with high net worth clients in creating and implementing a financial plan for their investments. Discretionary custom portfolio, individual stock research using S&P and Bloomberg, developing a new book of business while catering to established accounts as well. If you have a passion for the investment arena and want to continue in your career, this is the move you've been waiting for. Three plus years of experience and Series T a must.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT (SAN FRANCISCO) - $55K+
Brain trust VC firm seeking executive assistant to work for four managing members of the firm. The potential for growth is outstanding! You must be an organized multi-tasker with excellent client service skills and have the ability to thrive in an unpredictable, exciting atmosphere. Four year degree preferred but a passion for Venture Capital and a head for business will get you this position.

EXECUTIVE CHEF - $100K + DOE
High-profile client seeking experienced personal chef with a background in organic and sustainable produce with a southern cooking background. Duties include menu planning, budgeting, shopping, in addition to MS Word and Outlook skills.

IT ASSOCIATE - $40K-$55K
Westside business management firm seeking senior helpdesk/desktop support associate to wok in-house. Will be responsible for all software and hardware on corporate computing platforms, oversee helpdesk tickets and staff, and provide first level support to end users. 2-3 years experience. In depth knowledge of Microsoft Operating Systems and Office products, and GHOST imaging software.

TECHNICAL ACCOUNTING AND SUPPORT AGENT - $32K
International hospitality company seeking specialized agent for their Marine Operations division. General accounting skills are needed for refurbishment projects, proofing of invoices, purchase orders and strong written and oral communication skills. An accounting degree would be a big plus for this career opportunity. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Keeping Positive by Keeping Active

(This is a companion post to Jim's from last week, written by Sheldon Marder from our Temporary Division.)

Losing your job is more than just losing a paycheck. Most of us structure our lives around our work schedule. So when we become unemployed, it creates a huge void in our daily routine. The longer it takes us to secure new employment, either full-time or temporary, the tougher it becomes to constructively fill the sudden excess of free time. This can lead to a loss of motivation, creating frustration and even depression.

To combat falling into that trap, try putting some structure back into your life. Devote a specific time each day to pursue your job search. In addition to scouring the jobs listings on the Internet and contacting staffing agencies, allot some of your efforts to enhancing your skills or developing new ones by updating your computer software skills. Agencies like Blaine and Associates will email you tutorials and then allow you to test your new found prowess. This will not only make you a more marketable candidate, but it will also allow you to feel more in control of your destiny.

By keeping active and maintaining a structured and proactive approach to your job search, you'll be able to retain a more positive outlook.

And remember, employers hire positive-thinking candidates!

Light at the End of the Tunnel

(This post was written by Jim Barrett, a Full-Time Placement Consultant at Blaine and Associates, Inc.)

It's a difficult time. I probably don't need to tell you that. It's a time when all of us need to realize that in order to snag that interview, that elusive job, we need to be at the top of our game.

We all know someone who has been laid off, someone who is at a loss for what they should do next. The immediate question is: "What's next?"

Here is what I suggest: take a minute to inventory your skills and decide what you need to add to that skill set in order to explore other career opportunities. Contrary to popular belief there are employers hiring but you need to be proactive about getting yourself, your resume, your presentation of you in the best possible shape. Attend a resume workshop, brush up on your software skills by taking a class, read up on the "do's" and "don't's" of interviewing. You need to be ready when the opportunity presents itself. Make no mistake, things will turn around and you need to use this time to learn how to market yourself. Network, talk to friends and former coworkers, keep your name fresh in their memories.

I have seen the best of times and the worst of times in my thirty plus years as a consultant in the employment industry. It is my objective to prepare you in every way so that you are that #1 candidate employers dream about. I want you to walk away with a job offer. Yes, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but you'll get their faster if you have the right tools for the (no pun) job.

Job Listings

Here are just a few of our current openings in our Permanent Division. If you are interested in applying, please email us your resume!

Office Manager/Bookkeeper - $70K-$100K DOE

Well known design firm is in the process of selecting an Office Manager/Bookeeper to run this high-end firm. Candidates must have 10+ years management and bookkeeping experience. A background with a design or architectural firm is highly desirable. If you have any experience working with manufacturing, operations and outside suppliers, that's also a plus.

You must have experience in the following areas: Quickbooks, MSW, Excel and Outlook, Invoicing, A/P, A/R, Collections, GL reporting, budgets, inventory, bank recs and payroll. Duties to include hiring and supervising staff, benefits administration and management, vacation, sick, holiday tracking for employees, assisting President and various Managers with special projects. Must be "project" oriented. This is not a 9 - 5; this is a life, this is a career. Be ready to have fun and work hard.

Entry-Level Receptionist/Administrative Assistant - $28K-$30K

Young, hip design agency seeks recent college grad with an interest in the future of product design. You will answer phones, greet guests, assist with special projects and learn the business from the ground up. You must have MSW and Excel skills, great phone voice, excellent client service background and hopefully a degree in product/engineering design, marketing, communications or architecture. 1 - 2 years experience required. Internships are acceptable. Great benefits and plenty of room for growth!

Opportunity in the Face of Recession

(Today's post was written by Sheldon Marder, Temporary Staffing Manager for Blaine and Associates, Inc.)

Turn on the TV, listen to the radio or pick up a newspaper. Everywhere you go people are talking about the economy. And it seems everyone knows someone who's lost their job due to downsizing. You might even be one of them!

With more than 33 years in the staffing industry, this is not the first time I've experienced a contraction of the workforce and I suspect this isn't your first time either. Never a pleasant feeling to say the least. We are all feeling the pain in our pocketbook and the uneasiness of an uncertain time.

But these challenges also bring opportunities. Traditionally during a recession firms tend to cut back on their workforce excessively and then find themselves understaffed once their business begins to pick up. They turn to services such as ours to fill the gap and by this avenue will bring these same temps onto their own payroll as full-time employees. It's an easy transition: the temps have already been trained and have proven themselves a valuable asset. And since temporary positions tend to be skill-driven and not industry-specific, it's a terrific chance to explore careers in a new field.

So seize the opportunity - in a time when you feel like opportunities are rare - and reinvent yourself. What does the recession mean for you? Might just be time to embark on a new adventure!

Job Listings

Here are just a few of our current openings in our Permanent Division. If you are interested in applying, please email us your resume!

Entertainment Management Bookkeeper (30 to 40 hours per week) - $20-$30/hour
Westside firm is looking for a 5+ year seasoned bookkeeper with business management experience. You will start out working 30+ hours per week and go to a full-time position by November 2009. You must have QuickBooks, Excel and MSW experience, a 4-year degree, preferably in Accounting, and great references. This job requires excellent communication and client service skills.

Receptionist - $30-$36K DOE
A great voice, a better disposition and computer skills will land you this receptionist position. You will be involved in client servicing of this rapidly expanding firm. You must be able to help them with computer troubleshooting, scheduling conference rooms, working on special projects and of course, answering busy phones and greeting all guests. Please have experience as a receptionist and great references to back up your resume. Wonderful opportunity to move up and do more than just a job. This position is located in West Los Angeles

Accounting Assistant - $50-$65K
You must have 5+ years of accounting experience and a 4-year degree in either Accounting or Finance. You should have experience working in a "blue chip" corporate firm handling all the A/P functions from expense reports, vendor invoices, wire transfers, reconciliations, coding and filing. You will prepare deposits, client invoicing and client/vendor correspondence. Please have a stable work history and excellent references. A background check will be done before employment can be offered. This position is located in Century City

Administrative Assistant $42 - 48,000+ DOE
Downtown consulting firm is looking for a multi-talented assistant to work for a group of consultants. You must have excellent MSW, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook skills and your resume must be solid and stable to be considered for this position. This company is growing and offers the best of benefits, bonuses and luxury surroundings. You will not be just an employee, you will be a member of a growing, dynamic team of professionals on the cutting edge of their business. A 4-year degree is preferred and if you are not currently working, a temp-to-full-time might work for them and for you.

Job Listings!

Here are just a few of our current openings in our Permanent Division. If you are interested in applying, please email us your resume!

Private Client Assistant/Associate - $50K

Global Wealth Management firm seeks experienced financial services professional who can articulate company's investment process and services - both domestic and international - to clients, prospects and intermediaries. Minimum 2-5 years similar experience either concurrent or post college. Four year degree required with minimum 3.0 GPA. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Bookkeeper - $50K+ DOE
Entertainment management firm seeks accountant/bookkeeper with 3-5 years experience in the business management arena. Ideal candidate is discreet, personable, a productive team player and possesses the ability to problem solve. Friendly work environment with high net worth clientele.

2nd Executive Assistant - to $50K
Senior Partner at a major Downtown Law Firm needs confident second assistant for scheduling, travel arrangements, correspondence, expense reports and finances and personal errands. Discretion is key as the position handles highly confidential information. Must have advanced MS Office proficiency, excellent written and verbal communication skills, flexible work habits and the ability to jungle multiple deadlines without constant supervision.

Welcome!

Welcome to the new blog for Blaine and Associates, Inc., celebrating over 20 years of staffing permanent, temporary, special events and convention positions in Southern California!

In conjunction with the upcoming launch of our revamped website, we're introducing out first ever blog! Check back for updates on job fairs, training events and exciting new annoucements for our company.