Job Seeker FAQ’s
Everyday, people just like you are registering with us. Why? There are many reasons why working with Beacon Group makes good sense. First, it’s FREE TO YOU - NO HIDDEN CHARGES, EVER. Secondly, to make contacts; to find their first job; to supplement their income (check out the Refer a Friend program. You could be earning money right now); to locate employment after moving from a different part of the country; or to support the pursuit of other interests. Many Associates who are currently employed also come to us to locate jobs that better suit their needs. We work with people at all levels of experience, from recent graduates to professionals with 30+ years experience; we can help take your career to the next level.
Are Associates charged a fee?
Beacon Group never charges a fee to Associates for job placement.
What options does Beacon Group offer?
* Full time or part time temporary basis positions to allow for flexibility.
* Short-term or long-term positions based on your schedule.
* Temp-to-Perm positions.
* Begin temping and work toward a direct-hire position, thus being confident in your decision to become part of that company.
* Interview for direct-hire positions only; all of our clients are pre-screened.
Whichever option you choose, there is no fee charged to you, the employee. If temping is your choice, prepare yourself for a positive experience that will improve your skills, as well as your employment choices.
I’m only looking for a permanent position, why should I consider temporary employment?
The most obvious answer to this question is that temporary employment allows you to earn money while you are looking for that perfect job. But there are many other benefits to accepting temporary assignments. The following are just a few reasons:
Maintaining & improving your skills. When you don’t consistently use the skills you have, you can lose or reduce your performance level. Working with computer software packages is an excellent example. Not only can you maintain & utilize your current skills, you may be eligible for free computer training at Kaye Personnel to upgrade your computer skills.
Try before you buy. Temporary employment allows an individual to experience the work and corporate environment of a position before making a long-term commitment to it. It also enables those individuals starting or changing their career the opportunity to try a variety of positions & environments to find the one with the best fit for them.
Flexibility. Depending on your schedule, we may have the job for you.
Supplemental Income.
Re-entering the workforce.
A transitional bridge to full time employment.
Getting your foot in the door.
Working with the top employers in the area.
What if I am thinking about moving to the Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, Maryland tri-state area, moving out of the area, or looking for a position in a city I already live in that is outside the tri-state area?
While we primarily support employers and staff in the Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, we do recruit regionally and nationally. Wherever you are in the US, we would enjoy learning more about your background, career objectives and geographic preference. Register with us and we will be in contact with you.
How long will it take Beacon Group to find the right position for me?
There is no set time frame associated with finding you the right position. We carefully evaluate your skills and our customers’ needs. Sometimes we find a fit immediately; sometimes it takes longer to find the position that is right for everyone involved. We can assure you we are always diligently working to find you a position at which you will succeed.
Can I work with other placement agencies while I work with Beacon Group?
Yes you can. However, we do recommend working with a single staffing firm. Our experience shows that working with a single firm ensures a better working relationship. As we become more familiar with your skills, interests, goals, and career objectives, we are better able to select assignments that best match your skills.
If I work with Beacon Group, am I a W-2 employee or a 1099 independent contractor?
Most of our associates are W-2 employees of Beacon Group. Others are independent contractors. While we mostly hire people as W-2 employees, we evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis.
I’m on unemployment. Doesn’t temporary work affect my benefits?
No! In fact, temporary assignments can extend your unemployment benefits. When you accept a temporary assignment, your unemployment benefits are put on hold. When your assignment ends, you can apply for your benefits again. As you are working for us, you’ll be contributing unemployment taxes from your paycheck. If you work on a long-term assignment of 4 months or longer with us, you may even increase your weekly unemployment benefit when you apply again.
Will a series of assignments look unstable on my resume?
Not at all! Beacon Group is your employer, and no matter how many assignments you complete, you are still employed by one company. In addition, you can learn a wide range of skills, update some skills you haven’t used in a while, and let you explore new interests.
Working with an employment agency also gives you a unique vantage point. You have an employment professional representing you to the hiring agents of hundreds of companies.
How long do temporary job assignments last?
Temporary job assignments range from half days to indefinite periods of time. Beacon Group has a four hour minimum guarantee on all daily temporary assignments.
How long do Associates hold contract jobs?
While specific jobs may last from a few days to several years, the average tenure of Associates range from 3 to 14 months (or the length of a season or project.)
Can I secure permanent employment through Beacon Group?
Absolutely. Temporary work provides a bridge to permanent employment. Employers have the advantage of witnessing first hand your skills and abilities to determine your qualifications for a permanent position. Our contract projects are typically long-term assignments (3 months or more) during which opportunities for permanent positions may arise. Exact figures are difficult to provide because every contractor-employer relationship is developed on a case-by-case basis.
Skills alone do not guarantee on-the-job success. What steps do you take to ensure that an Associate is placed in an environment in which he or she will thrive?
At Beacon Group, we pay particular attention to other subtle, yet equally important factors that other placement agencies often overlook. For example, we recognize that variations in work style play a major role in on-the-job success. We work with you to determine the critical “fit” factors that enable us to place our Associates in the work environments where they are most likely to succeed.
What if I don’t like the assignment I am involved in, or it is not what it was described to be?
It’s rare that one of our positions is not what it was described to be. If you are not comfortable in a particular assignment, we try to work with you and our client to resolve any differences that may exist. If necessary, we will work with you to find a position that better suits your individual skills and abilities.
How do you maintain the high quality of your Associates?
We know how important it is to screen for the best associates. Before we hire, we will conduct our Selective Screening and Interviewing Process.
Step 1 — All applicants complete our Online Application.
Step 2 — Our Consultants review your application concentrating on gaps of employment and reasons for leaving.
Step 3 — Complete an I-9, and Beacon’s Substance Abuse Policy.
Step 4 — Complete a W-4 form, Reference Check Release, Background Verification Authorization, and Skills Testing as appropriate. (Government Contracts may require adherence to the DD254)
Step 5 — Associates are provided our Employee Handbook, Benefits, Paycheck Information, Accident/Injury Reporting Procedures, Time Slips and checklist on our Orientation and Conditions of Employment form. Depending on the nature of the position, you may be required to execute HIPAA Agreements, a Confidentiality Agreement and/or an Intellectual Property Ownership Agreement.
Are you committed to embracing equal opportunity for all Associates?
Beacon Group is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications and the ability to perform the assignment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status. It is our policy to maintain a non-discriminatory environment, free of intimidation, harassment or bias based upon any of these grounds.
Contact us to discuss your options and find out more about opportunities. Or call and speak with one of our Representatives at 703-684-3144. If calling from outside of the Washington D.C. metro area, call toll free at 1-866-421-1166.