Forbes Magazine named Orlando in its list of “The 10 Happiest Cities for Job-Seeking College Grads.”

Forbes Magazine named Orlando in its list of “The 10 Happiest Cities for Job-Seeking College Grads.” The 10 cities chosen were based on 140,000 data points from the career site CareerBliss.com. Among those listed, Orlando ranked 6th with an average cost-of-living-adjusted salary of $43,047 and a variety of industry positions are available for young jobseekers.

“Orlando has many great advantages that young jobseekers are recognizing,” Bill Peppler, managing partner of Kavaliro said. “With a plethora of positions available, Central Florida is a great place to start your career.”

The amount of advice sent out to college grads can be overwhelming, but this article, based off the book “Don’t Go to Law School, Move to Asia, And 28 Other Pearls of Wisdom for 2012 Grads” helps new jobseekers evaluate important factors in the next chapter of their life.

The article was formed on responses from employees all over the country on 10 factors that can affect workplace happiness.

“Those include one’s relationship with the boss and co-workers, work environment, job resources, compensation, growth opportunities, company culture, company reputation, daily tasks, and control over the work one does on a daily basis,”according to the article. “They evaluated each factor on a five-point scale and also indicated how important it was to their overall happiness.”

The complete list includes these happiest cities:
St. Louis, Mo.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Jacksonville, Fla.
Memphis, Tenn.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Orlando, Fla.
Houston, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Birmingham, Ala.

To read the article, visit http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/05/18/the-happiest-cities-for-job-seeking-college-grads/

Kavaliro on the front page of the Orlando Business Journal

Seminole County wooing New York-based Genesis10

Seminole County is trying to lure a New York-based technology staffing firm to open an office in Longwood this year and create 100 high-wage jobs during the next three years.

The county reportedly is competing with other areas such as Atlanta for Genesis10 Corp., which has 19 locations nationwide, including one in Tampa.

If it decides to open an office here, the company would invest up to $230,000 for renovations and equipment at 260 Wekiva Springs Road in Longwood. That address includes the 141,000-square-foot Protegrity Place I & II properties, which is advertising more than 50,000 square feet of available space.

The company’s hiring plans for the new jobs would be split over three years, with 50 jobs created by December, another 25 jobs by Dec. 31, 2013, and the rest by year-end 2014.

The positions, which were not defined in county documents, would have an average salary of $80,000, more than 115 percent higher than the Seminole County’s average wage of $37,925.

The company was approved for $30,000 in Qualified Target Industry incentive funds from the county, which is a 20 percent local participation match to what the company is seeking from the state.

Calls to Genesis10 Corp. were not returned. Seminole County officials declined to comment due to nondisclosure agreements.

However, Orlando appears ripe for another technology staffing firm. Consider: The City Beautiful ranks among the top three cities looking for information technology-related positions, according to a study by Modis Inc., a Jacksonville-based IT staffing firm with offices in Orlando.

“Tech job opportunities in Orlando are increasing due to the new Medical City project adding 10,000 new jobs in Orlando, driving health care IT jobs, the increasing networking needs of companies of all industries driving telecommunications jobs, a recovering hospitality industry driving hiring in this space, and the apparent consolidation of financial services sector IT jobs in the less-costly labor markets,” said the study.

Orlando’s most needed positions in the past couple of years have been those with extensive backgrounds in technology such as software development and modeling and simulation, saidBill Peppler, managing partner at Kavaliro Staffing Services in Orlando, which specializes in technology staffing.

“The software developer and technology industry has an unemployment rate of less than 2 percent, compared to metro Orlando’s 9.5 percent overall unemployment rate,” he said. “So if you can provide those resources to businesses, that’s a strong business model.”

In fact, Peppler said a new company in town will push firms like his to further refine services, causing the overall industry to improve. “We always welcome new competition.”

Richard Bilbao
Reporter – Orlando Business Journal

Kavaliro mentioned on the front page of Florida Today business section

“The next hot career is here.

Software developer.

Recent college graduates are earning up to $100,000 a year. And the profession shows signs of getting hotter, since graduates are in demand.

Businesses, industry and communications increasingly depend on the Internet, and companies are moving more and more of their operations online. That means they need software to make it all work.

Automobiles, watches, airplanes, and everything from digital thermometers to coffeemakers depend on software. For example, a cell phone, which we know can do much more than place a call, uses up to a million lines of software code for its different applications.

So, with the necessity for companies to have smartphone apps and tablet apps, as well as business software, the engineers and developers who design this stuff are essential. Colleges are ready to train them, but university officials say that high school students are not encouraged to enter the field….

The shorgage of software developers could slow the operation of some businesses.

“We’ve had customers say, ‘We have to increase our (software development) staff or we’re going to miss deadlines,’ ” Bill Peppler, managing partner of Orlando’s Kavaliro Staffing Services, which covers Central Florida, said.

Businesses likely will face a long period of competing for software development talent, and, in the worst scenario, the talent shortage could slow the U.S. economy.

“We could accelerate business development in the country if we had more people in computer science,” Gary Leavens, interim chair in the electrical engineering and computer science departments at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. “Businesses are able to get productive gains from software.”” Click here to read entire article.

UCF Business and Economy Applauds Kavaliro’s Job Search App

The University of Central Florida business and economy section wrote yesterday of Kavaliro’s recently launched job search app for the iPhone and iPad. UCF proudly recognized its alumni, Diane Mahony, Mark Moore, John Mahony and Bill Peppler, for providing Americans a new, savy way to tackle the job hunt.

“Unemployment numbers are rising, but Kavaliro is seeing success—the firm experienced a 165 percent growth in revenue by May 2011,” the article reads. “Further, Kavaliro reports seeing more jobs available now than in the past 15 years.”

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Bill Peppler on Social Media and Recruiting

See what Bill Peppler, Kavaliro’s Managing Partner, had to say about Recruiting and Social Media in a recent article from Workforce Weekly!

“Social media is at the heart of everything we do,” says Bill Peppler, managing partner at Kavaliro Staffing Services in Orlando, Florida, which specializes in the information technology and financing industries. “We make numerous job placements that we never would have been able to do without Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Pretty soon everyone will be finding jobs that way. Someone asked me if I have my résumé on CareerBuilder or Monster and I never have. But I have a LinkedIn profile and so do most of our clients and job candidates.”

To see the rest of the article, visit Workforce Week – The Bait Debate

Podcast Featuring Bill Peppler and Mark Moore

Kavaliro’s Bill Peppler and Mark Moore recently had the opportunity to be interviewed by Elena del Valle for a podcast on HispanicMPR. The informative interview covers various topics from both the employer and employee perspectives, including: trends in the job market, changes and trends in the staffing industry, the highest skill sets in demand, changes in the work environment, bridging communication differences between the multiple generations in the workforce, trends in technology employment, social media and how it affects businesses and employees, embracing diversity in the workforce and more!

Take a few minutes to hear these thoughts and tips from these two staffing professionals by visiting HispanicMPR! You can find Bill Peppler and Mark Moore’s names in the blue podcast box on the right side of the page.

The Question Quandary by Bill Peppler

When it comes to conducting a job interview, employers have much more at stake than finding the right candidate.
Logic and experience have taught employers that they simply can’t ask job interviewees about marital status, age, disability and so forth. What you might not know, however, is that many less obvious questions, in our litigious society, also are not appropriate for an employer to ask a candidate.

Ignorance is not a defense in this arena. Through knowledge and awareness, you must protect yourself and your company against lawsuits arising from interviews gone awry.

You might feel that you are simply making small talk when you ask, “Do you live nearby?” or “How far was the drive?” However, this type of question could land your company in the position of defendant in a lawsuit. Inquiries such as these could be considered discriminatory on the basis of location. You might see it as more convenient to hire an employee who lives close to work, but it isn’t relevant to the job description. Your focus should always be on the candidate’s ability to complete job-specific tasks. In this scenario, instead of asking how close a potential employee lives, you should confirm that the candidate can arrive at work on time, regardless of distance or transit time.

Read the rest of the article at First Monday Magazine Online.

John Mahony speaks to the Orlando Business Journal about Florida’s economy

Fla. economy improves first time since June
by Richard Bilbao
Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 1:16pm EST – Last Modified: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 8:50am EST


Florida has been on an economic roller coaster this year, up and down for the past nine months. Luckily, the state’s leading economic indicator improved in September, for the first time since June.

Five of the 10 components used to track the economy had a positive contribution in September, up from just three in August, said e-forecasting.com’s newest Florida Leading Economic Indicator report. They include: new unemployment claims, weekly manufacturing hours, national stock prices, cumulative interest rate spread and the domestic vacation barometer, which measures domestic travel attitudes.

The remaining five components that struggled month-over-month include manufacturers’ exports, building permits, international tourism to Florida, the national technology index and consumer sentiment.

Several factors contributed to positive growth, including a drop in new unemployment claims. In addition, growing consumer confidence contributes to domestic vacation increases, said Evangelos Otto Simos, chief economist for Durham, N.H.-based e-forecasting.

On the flip side, the growing home foreclosure crisis hurt the number of residential building permits, and the struggling economies overseas contributed to the decline in projected international travel, he added.

Looking at its six-month growth rate, Florida’s leading indicator went up by an annual rate of 4.2 percent in September, after an increase of 5.1 percent in August, said Simos, noting that the state’s average long-term growth rate is 3.2 percent, so any annual growth rate above that indicates recovery.

A number of local businesses said they have experienced recent upticks.

Take John Mahony, chief operating officer for Kavaliro, an Orlando-based staffing company. He said in the past two months, his company has seen job orders double from local companies looking to fill temporary and contract-for-hire personnel.

In particular, jobs in information technology, hospitality, finance and accounting, and utilities seem to be most prominent right now, Mahony said.

Read the rest at the Orlando Business Journal

Mark Moore Discusses UCF Football with the OBJ

UCF’s potential move to Big East creates buzz
Published in Orlando Business Journal, November 10, 2010
By Richard Bilbao

There’s speculation that the University of Central Florida’s football team may move up to the Big East Conference, which announced expansion plans on Nov. 2.

That would mean extra prestige for the Orlando school — and, it could add more to the bottom line of area businesses.

The Big East plans to add two more schools to its 10-team football program for next year’s season.

UCF — a Conference USA (C-USA) member — is one of at least five schools that have been mentioned as potential invitees to the Big East, a conference that already includes top-notch sports programs such as the University of South Florida, Syracuse University and West Virginia University.

One reason UCF may have a chance to join the more prestigious Big East Conference: Its football team has proven its mettle, with a 7-2 record so far this year and a top 25 ranking for the first time in the school’s history. And that means UCF — the second-largest university in the nation with 56,235 students — will have a chance to play against some of the Big East’s football teams next season.

Big East Conference officials declined to comment on which colleges are being considered. UCF issued a statement saying it has had no contact with the conference.

Meanwhile, the potential opportunities a conference upgrade could have on Orlando’s business community already have generated excitement, said UCF economist Sean Snaith. “Sports is big business in this country, which brings economic rewards in terms of attendance, visiting teams and investments in the school.”

For example, bigger-name schools such as West Virginia would draw huge numbers of travelers to Central Florida for games, which could turn into business for hoteliers.

“UCF is one of the largest revenue generators in east Orlando, so when any of the sports programs bring outside teams, family members, fans and alumni, it always helps us,” said Eve Hunt, director of sales for the Holiday Inn UCF.

Hunt said the impact also would be great for surrounding businesses.

“One of the biggest economic impacts of college athletics derives from the nonlocals who attend football games,” said Patrick Rishe, economics professor with Webster University in St. Louis, Mo., and a sports expert. “By moving up from C-USA to the Big East, [UCF] may have a chance to increase conference revenue that is shared among the schools.”

The opportunity for more exposure is another big advantage, said Steve Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports, a nonprofit organization that holds the Capital One and Champs Sports bowl games at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

“The Big East is certainly a higher-profile conference that is also an automatic qualifier for a postseason bowl game,” which can increase Central Florida’s national exposure, said Hogan.

As for UCF fans, many have their fingers crossed that the school gains a berth in the Big East Conference.

“National recognition for our school means national recognition for our alumni and their businesses,” said Mark Moore, a UCF alumni and president of Kavaliro, an Orlando-based staffing firm. Moore said that connection helps build a relationship with new clients who are also from prominent college football colleges.

Added Stumpy Harris, a partner at Harris, Harris, Bauerle & Sharma PA, and a University of Florida Gators fan, “The bigger and better games that UCF can play will always be better for business, as it can be used as a tool for them to develop more business.”
What this means to you:

• More national exposure for Central Florida
• More out-of-town teams and fans attending games
• Business networking opportunities at higher-profile games

John Mahony talks with the OBJ about “Going Green”

Trends
What would convince you to buy “green” interior design products for your office?
Published in Orlando Business Journal, October 21, 2010
By Monique Valdes

Sandra Saft, president, Window Interiors Inc.:
“We know green products are good for all of us and are the latest in the industry. We invest in them because they make commercial buildings operate cleaner and longer. Going green is a worthwhile investment as a buyer and consumer. We choose to do green when possible [in our office].”

Beth Steele, president, Team Staffing Services:
“We are convinced to buy green based on how easy it is and how it impacts our lifestyle, trees and the water we drink. We are committed to protecting the environment. Green is now and the future.”

Kimberly Lawton Koon, president/CEO, Lawton Printers Inc.:
“If the price is within 10-20 percent of the alternative, we definitely would choose green. Lawton Printers is green-certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and we prefer to support those other companies who have also invested in the environment.”

Arthur LaBellman, owner, La Belle Fur Co. Inc.:
“I would make my office completely green if I could 100 percent verify the legitimacy of green office products. If going green provides jobs for Americans and is good not only for the environment, but for the economy as well, then I think we all should do it.”

Jeff Yarmuth, president/COO, Sonny’s Franchise Co.:
“We have reviewed various options with green interior design products ranging from flooring to various decórs. Our main focus is to ensure each product we purchase is representative of the Sonny’s brand, aligns with the décor and remains durable over time.”

Leila Nodarse, CEO, Nodarse & Associates Inc.:
“If I was outfitting an office from scratch, I would look to green pieces, which I would think would include antiques and older pieces of furniture. My office currently consists of things from home that were more appropriate in my office, like an antique desk I found at a local shop and a credenza that has been in this space for 30 years. So, I have tried to make do with what I had and what I love that also works for me.”

John Mahony, COO, Kavaliro Staffing Services:
“If more green products were comparably priced to regular items, it would be an easier choice financially at work and at home. Also, if green interior design products were more readily available, we would invest more in them. When you’re busy starting and working on your own business and low on time, sometimes convenience and speed can become a higher priority.”

Adam Jones, vice president, Massey Services Inc.:
“I’d give strong consideration to eco-friendly interior design products that meet all the other standards I use for purchasing anything. I want furnishings and accessories to have complete functionality, to fit with the rest of the office environment and to provide a strong, competitive value.”