These Frequently Asked Questions and answers relate to the processes conducted by Workforce Alliance only and may not relate to any other selection process.

Q. How long will my information record be active?

A. You must apply for a specific job only and your application is active for that hiring process, which usually lasts for several months. When you are notified of your final status in the process your application becomes inactive. You must re-apply for each job separately and your application will only be considered for that opening. Note: your information record is still in our database. You can quickly access your "as left" record with your SS# and password, make changes and additions, and re-submit for any new openings.

Q. How am I evaluated? What are decisions based on?

A. Client companies have well defined criteria that they provide to Workforce Alliance, which are usually described in terms of education, work experience, and military service and job training, as well as career experiences such as advancement and demonstrated leadership potential. Each event will be unique and most client companies have experienced increased pressure to raise minimum requirements to meet job demands. Another important factor, of course, is the variability of competition from other candidates who will be different in each hiring event.

Q. Do you look at my resume?

A. While we believe a good resume can tell you much about a candidate, In order to consistently and fairly evaluate all candidates, we conduct the early screening in our process using only the information you provide in our standard information record. Resume information is usually accurate and presented in an orderly organized fashion and will often be used as secondary information during the interview process, but is not required on the front end. The process of creating a resume helps you collect and record accurate information. Please refer to the resume link in this Tips and Tools section.

Q. When and how will I be notified if selected or if not chosen?

A. You will be notified usually by phone during the interim steps in the process and by letter with your final status if not chosen. Most hiring projects take several months to complete. We have used postcards and e-mail in some special cases but for most events it is extremely important that we be able to contact you quickly by phone.

Q. Will Workforce Alliance schedule tests and interviews after hours or on weekends?

A. We understand that any schedule involving large groups of people could not be a “one size fits all” solution. We operate our office during “normal’ business hours, but we fully understand that this may not work for all the participants in a hiring event. We make every effort, within the constraints of a tight schedule and short timelines, to arrange to hold testing and interviewing on a varied format that includes some after hours and weekends to accommodate those applicants with special needs in this regard. Oddly enough, in the past we have received more negative feedback from schedules that had more evenings and weekends.

Q. Can I reschedule a test or an interview?

A. When we can reschedule we will, and very often have in all our hiring events. Our ability to handle these situations hinges on the schedule, the deadlines and the rules and procedures involved in the testing process. We want to be as flexible as we can, given the large numbers of people who participate in a hiring event, but there is only so much we can do to accommodate everyone. We encourage you to ask and we will always try.

Q. How do I apply for jobs on your website? How do I list with you for future openings?

A. You can apply on-line when we are running a hiring event for a client company. If there are no “current openings” listed you will not be able to apply. You should check local print media “want ads” and check our website often for these events. We do not take open applications for any future listings, only current openings.

Q. How can I get coaching and information that can improve my chances of employment?

A. Business and industry have varying requirements and value certain skills and experience in very different ways. One set of requirements will not define all the possible dimensions a successful candidate will need. The state technical colleges and the local Job Service offices are two sources of current information about hiring requirements in the surrounding industry. Workforce Alliance has conducted several public multi-session workshops called “The Employment Academy” sponsored by some of our client companies. These are very informative and give one-on-one council as part of the program. We encourage you to keep an eye open for these events in the future.

Q. What kinds of qualifications do your client companies value most?

A. As mentioned previously these requirements and qualifications vary greatly from one company to another. Most often listed would be related technical experience, technical post secondary education, as well as specific technical certifications such as electrical, instrumentation or mechanical skills just to name a few. Heavy math, chemistry and good reading skills are certainly a plus and are often noted. Competency in computer skills and use are a high priority requirement with most companies. Successful applicants will usually be able to work in a very self-directed, team-oriented environment where good problem solving and critical thinking skills are a must for success.

Q. How will I know when you are running a hiring event?

A. We discussed this a bit in an earlier question. Again, you must keep an eye on the local print media and on our website. These hiring events are advertised and publicized during the event ‘window”. If you are interested in employment you have to stay tuned in all the time. The field is very competitive for these jobs and the hiring process is usually on a very tight timeline. You can also call into our phone system (504) 465-0000, Ext.66 for current events in the works.

Q. What kind of feedback can I expect if I don’t get selected?

A. We are not at liberty nor do we have specific information to give individual feedback on hiring decisions. Most hiring processes are usually team centered and rely on a collaborative process to reach decisions. We do not have access to these deliberations or final decisions. The key to success is preparing yourself with knowledge and skills broadly, and not focus on one event, win or lose. The winners are always in the game.

Q. What is the best way for me to communicate with Workforce Alliance?

A. We have multiple methods including phone, fax, e-mail and website.

We will list them again here:
Phone: 504.465.0000
FAX: 504.465.5550
E-Mail: jobs@workforcealliance.com
Website: www.workforcealliance.com