7 Benefits of Using a Staffing Firm to Job Hunt in Hawaii.

5月18日

A few posts ago I wrote about 5 things you can do when looking for a job in Hawaii. Out of those five, I’ve always been asked to expand more on how connecting with a local staffing firm can help in your job search.

First off, it’s important to understand how they work. A staffing firm serves employers who are looking to fills its ranks. These employers turn to staffing agencies because they either have difficulty in finding qualified workers or they don’t have the resources or means to handle all the back-end administrative work that comes with hiring employees.

For job seekers, a staffing firm is a resource that helps provide the tools they need to succeed in their job search. To be very clear, they are not a service that looks to find a job for every individual that walks through their doors. The role of an agency is to find the most qualified individual for a specific job opening or openings–this means that many job seekers may be not placed because their qualifications may not be the right fit for the job. For those who do not qualify, a staffing firm can still assist those job seekers by keeping their profile on record for the next job opportunity, resume building tips, interview coaching and other tools to enhance their candidacy for job placement. The pros of using a staffing firm by far outweigh the negatives. Here are 7 benefits of using a staffing agency when job hunting in Hawaii:

1. No cost to job seekers. Staffing firms are working at the request of an employer and are paid by those employers. Therefore, there are no costs to the job seeker, you are getting job placement assistance free of charge.

2. Knowledge of the local labor market. Because of the nature of their business and background, staffing agencies have excellent knowledge of the local labor market since they work with many companies in a variety of different industries. The longer the staffing agency has been around, the more experience they’ll have in this area.

3. Large network. Since staffing firms work with many local companies and in many industries, they can quickly get you in contact with interesting clients and projects based on your background and interests.

4. Hidden job market. Many staffing firms in Hawaii have access to jobs that are not advertised anywhere else. In other words, if you didn’t go through the staffing agency you would never hear about the job opening(s).

5. The best pay possible. One thing many jobseekers don’t think about is that a staffing company can help negotiate your salary with employers. As professionals in the industry, staffing recruiters know what is fair and can help advocate on your behalf.

6. Temporary work. There are times one may be looking for temporary work such as during summer vacation on break from college, or before moving out-of-state. Staffing firms work with clients who are in need of such temporary jobs that you wouldn’t otherwise find elsewhere or advertised.

7. Following up. Staffing firms will follow up your application with an employer so you don’t have to.

This story is also posted on HuffPost Biz.

The Top 7 Ramen-ya’s in Hawaii.

8月7日

Unfortunately, over the course of several years, Ramen-ya’s in Hawaii have dwindled in number.  There aren’t very many options to choose from anymore and good ones for that matter.  Among the best that I was sadden to see close down over the years were places like Taishoken, Kiwami, Raraya and even Ajitama.  That doesn’t leave us with much!  Here’s what’s left in my opinion….feel free to chime in since everyone’s tastes are different.  I should also add that I can’t wait for Santouka, a Japanese Ramen-ya chain, to open in Don Quijote Kaheka!  Shout out to @Nanigurl for help with photos.

1.  Yotteko-ya.

One of the last remaining Ramen-ya’s in Hawaii that really try to perfect their dishes.  It’s Kyoto style Ramen….make sure you try the Paitan. It’s amazing.

2.  Ramen Nakamura.

There’s always a line of Japanese visitors here which reflects its authenticity.  I felt over the years the Ramen has gone downhill a little especially after they changed up their noodles, but overall still good.  Parking is difficult because of its Waikiki location.  Get around that by parking at the Royal Hawaiian Center and go get validated at Starbucks or one of the other tenants there.

3.   Sapporo King of Ramen (formerly known

as Rai Rai

When I heard that Rai Rai closed its doors I was so disappointed.  I mean the Ramen here was pretty Amazeballs….any place that puts garlic chips in their ramen gets a pat on the back from me.  That’s why I was happy to hear that the restaurant, though a different name, still served up the same foods.  (Photo VIA Nat N).

4.  Gomaichi

Goma-Tei still has nothing on Gomaichi.  The Tan Tan, Shoyu and Hot Sour broth here is still boss.  (Photo VIA Nat N).

5.  Tsukuneya Robata Grill.

Not known for ramen, Tsukuneya’s niche is Nagoya style cuisine including their popular Tsukune dishes.  But make sure to top your meal of with their Paitan Ramen.  It’s a little different from Yotteko-ya in that it’s richer but the flavor is packed with a punch.  Tenkaippin’s Koteri has nothing on this either.

6.  Daiichi Noodles Cafe.

If you’re a townie like myself you probably haven’t heard of this place or may have heard of it but never tried it.  Next time you’re out in Aiea, take a trip to Daiichi and try their version of the Tan Tan ramen.  It’s really good…dare I say better than Gomaichi and easily better than Goma-tei.

7.  Kohnotori.

Say what you want and remind me that Kohnotori is a robata bar, but they also have pretty good ramen.  It’s very light in flavor but don’t let that fool you as there is depth in the broth.

Additional short-list:
Takahashiya
Lucky Belly
Tenkaippin
Ramen @ Gyukaku
Goma-tei
Menaya Ifu Dodo
The ramen you eat after your nabe at Ichiriki
Taiyo
Ezogiku
Menchanko-tei
Every single Ramen vendor that passed through Shirokiya

12 Tell-Tale Signs You’re Nearing 40.

7月29日

It’s pretty obvious.  You’re getting old especially if you remember these things and lived it.

1.  Hairdo.

Ladies had the wave.  Fellas sported their BWB aka bolo with bangs.  Or sometimes just plain ol’ mullet.  (Photo VIA & VIA).

2.  Cavaricci.

The privileged had their pick of different colored Cavaricci pants.  The rest of us schmuck sported Bojo’s. (Photo VIA).

3. FloJo’s.

You always had a pair ready to go. You even chose to wear them over your rubber slippers from Woolworth. One side note….they really got pretty smelly after a while (Photo VIA).

4.  Sunkist Fruit Rolls.

There was no other fruit roll up.  If it wasn’t a Sunkist Fruit roll up, it wasn’t a fruit roll.  The best thing about them was eating it like a cigar.  (Photo VIA).

5.  SNES.

Just when the NES broke through and started a revolution with the 8-bit video game console system, they one-upped it with the SNES 16-bit console system.  You could actually bring Street Fighter II from the arcade into your home.  Best game ever was and still is Super Mario Kart. (Photo VIA).

6.  Cuffs.

If you didn’t cuff aka peg the pants back in the day, then you’re lying.  The tighter the better.  Added bonus, wearing these bad boys with those leather shoes from Tom McCann.  (Photo VIA).

7.  90210.

There, I said it.  You knew everything about what was going on between Dylan and Brenda.  Kelly was your favorite and quite frankly you didn’t know what the heck Steve was even doing on this show.  (Photo VIA).

8.  Trapper Keeper.

Trapper Keepers were the coolest thing every.  Why they don’t still exist today is beyond me.  Not only did they look good, they were so functional in organizing loose-leaf paper, folders, a ruler and even a pouch for pens.  (Photo VIA).

9.  The Walkman.

You had one of these and actually know what a cassette tape is.  (Photo VIA).

10.  Cigarette Bubble Gum.

You were probably victim at some point in your life to buying these baby cancer sticks that the smoking industry, although they deny it, ingeniously employed to “train” future smokers.  You could puff on them and a cloud of powdered sugar would emerge from the end of the gum like smoke from a real cigarette.  Living in Hawaii you probably got them from the Manapua Man.  (Photo VIA).

11.  Commodore 64.

The first computer you ever worked on was a Commodore 64.  You could create linear designs with a little “turtle.”  Not to mention using the original 8″ floppy disk that was able to store a whopping 80kb of memory. (Photo VIA).

12.  Cartoons.

You remember real cartoons.  Shows like Scooby Doo, Robotech, Grape Ape, Voltron (Lions), The Justice League, Tranzor Z & Captain Caveman.  None of this Pokeman crap.  (Photo VIA).