PenMac manager focuses on recruitment, service

Nancy Laird is a "down in the trenches" kind of manager.

Laird is clerical manager and marketing manager for PenMac Personnel Services, a locally owned company that provides temporary employees and temp-to-perm placement.

Laird is from Shreveport, La., and moved to Springfield five years ago. When she first arrived in town, she went to PenMac and was hired for and completed several temporary jobs.

"Then Patti (Penny, PenMac owner) called me into her office and asked me if I'd like to work for her," she said.

She began as a clerical interviewer, responsible for interviewing, testing and checking the references of the company's associates individuals seeking positions.

Interviewers "are also responsible for making sure all of the clients (the companies PenMac sends associates to) are taken care of and make sure we're getting the right applicant for the position," she said.

Now her job as clerical manager is to oversee the four clerical interviewers, and she also serves as the company's marketing manager. In this position, she goes out into the community and visits with the clients and follows up with the associates.

"We're trying to make sure our clients are satisfied with our service," she said. "But we also want them to know about the other services we provide, like how to reduce turnover and how to recruit and retain current employees."

She also attends job fairs and visits colleges to interview students seeking employment.

"Recruiting is a big part of the job right now because of the current low unemployment rate," she said.

Sometimes, students from local middle schools are brought in for a tour of the company. "They get a chance to meet everyone that works here," Laird said. "Then, hopefully when they get to high school age, they'll remember us and come here when they start looking for work."

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