Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – “Don’t Miss a Beat … Keep up the Tempo” is the slogan of TEMPO Employment Services, and they have lived up to it in meeting Aroostook County’s employment needs for 25 years.
Owner Lois Dickson said that since the company was established in 1985, TEMPO has placed approximately 12,000 people, nearly the population of the Star City, into employment.
Dickson, a native of Fort Fairfield, had moved out of the area for 20 years, but in 1992 was looking to move back to the County. Her experience in advertising, marketing and banking made her the right fit to join the agency as the manager.
The company had been struggling prior to Dickson’s arrival, and things didn’t exactly go smoothly for the new manager in the early going as well.
“The first week I was here, we lost our biggest account,” Dickson recalled, “and I really believe my partners didn’t think TEMPO was going to be able to stay open.
“Luckily, I was naive enough to keep it going.”
TEMPO began to see significant growth under Dickson and she bought the business from the previous ownership group in 1995 and now serves as the sole owner, with Jennifer Curran, an employee since 1997, serving as assistant manager and Suzette da Cruz, employed since 2002, as the administrative assistant.
Although the slow economy has affected job placement the last couple years, TEMPO has still averaged placing approximately 500 annually, mainly in the manufacturing and clerical fields. TEMPO works both with job seekers and companies needing employees.
“Essentially what we do is try to match people’s skills with the jobs we have open,” Dickson said. “We talk to our clients and list any jobs they have. Usually, they have an immediate need to fill them.
“One misconception that people have is that we only offer temporary positions, but probably 75 to 80 percent of the time, they end up becoming ongoing, full-time positions.”
Dickson said often when people hear of a job opening, it is already filled from within. When TEMPO is involved, that is certainly not the case.
“When employers call here looking for someone, there is an opening,” she said. “We’re not wasting people’s time by sending them on a wild goose chase by having them drive all over the place and getting all dressed up and going for an interview, and then they walk in and there really is no opening.
“Through TEMPO, there really is a position open.”
Dickson said TEMPO serves as a strong advocate for employees.
“A lot of times we can sell the candidates,” she said. “A lot of times, I’ve had people come in to see us after they had been rejected at places they are applying. Then we send them and it all works out.
“It’s just a matter of giving someone a chance.”
Those in the midst of a job search don’t have to worry about extra fees when utilizing TEMPO.
“We do this at no cost to the employee,” da Cruz said. “A lot of people come in wondering how much it is going to cost them, and there is no charge.”
Curran added that with the downturn in the economy, companies need more flexibility. She said that is where TEMPO can step in to help.
“Once we get somebody in and they prove themselves, they can definitely work into full-time,” Curran added.
Dickson said that although her company doesn’t receive a lot of notoriety, individuals have shown their appreciation in different ways.
“We had someone the other day pop in to say thanks after we had placed them into a job five years ago,” Dickson said. “They were in the area, saw our sign and wanted to come by.
“We have a number of cards, letters and phone calls from various employees expressing their sincere appreciation.”
TEMPO Employment Services is located at 40 North Suite, Suite 3 in Presque Isle. Their phone number is 764-0772.
TEMPO – The three-person staff at TEMPO Employment Services includes, seated, owner Lois Dickson; and in back from left, administrative assistant Suzette da Cruz and assistant manager Jennifer Curran.
