HOUSTON, January 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Today, Murray Resources, a leading recruiting and staffing firm based in Houston, Texas, released the results of the company’s inaugural Houston hiring outlook survey.

The survey was distributed to Murray Resources’ clients, business colleagues, and through the company’s social media channels. 60 Houston company leaders and executives, HR staff, and hiring managers completed the survey.

“The purpose of the study was to gain a preliminary understanding of the general economic climate and staffing outlook facing Houston companies in 2012,” said Marsha Murray, President of Murray Resources.

One of the survey’s key measures – “economic expectations facing their company” – indicates a climate of cautious optimism. Almost two thirds (62%) of respondents expect the economic conditions facing their companies to get “moderately better” in 2012, while 12% reported that they expect the economic conditions to get “significantly better”.

Ms. Murray continued, “While Houston has certainly not been immune to the economic challenges employers have faced over the last several years, the results of the survey continue to demonstrate the city’s relative economic health and optimism going into 2012.”

Additional key insights from the study:

Approximately half of those who completed the survey (49%) are in Director level positions or above at their companies. The respondents were drawn from a highly diverse range of industries, with twenty-one different industries selected and an additional fifteen respondents writing in an unlisted industry.

To download the complete report, please visit: http://www.murrayresources.com/employers/hiring-outlook-report-2012/

For information on Murray Resource’s recruiting and staffing services, please visit http://www.murrayresources.com/employers.

About Murray Resources
Murray Resources is a leading Houston staffing agency, providing quality professional-level placement services, as well as temporary, temp-to-hire, contract, payroll and direct hire administrative/clerical services. Over the past 23 years, Murray Resources has developed a unique placement process to match candidates based not only on experience and skill set, but also on how well a candidate can put that skill set to work within a particular corporate culture. Murray Resources’ 95% Performance Evaluation Score represents one of the highest placement satisfaction rates in the industry. For more information, contact Murray Resources at 713.935.0009 or visit www.murrayresources.com.

Most Houston business leaders surveyed by Murray Resources, a local recruiting and staffing agency, believe 2012 will be a better year than 2011.

Murray resources recently surveyed 60 Houston executives, hiring managers and human relations staff members to determine the business climate outlook for 2012.

“(The survey) showed that there is a cautious optimism,” said Keith Wolf, Murray’s vice president of marketing. “Businesses are hiring, they want their businesses to grow and they expect next year to be better.”

The majority of survey respondents — 61.7 percent — said they expect overall prospects for their companies to get moderately better. Surprisingly, no one said their company’s prospects would significantly worsen in 2012.

Respondents also said they expected to see their company’s headcount increase in the next year. Some 66.7 percent of respondents said their companies would increase staff by significant or moderate numbers.

Areas where most respondents expect to increase hiring are in the operations, sales and engineering fields.

However, one of the greatest challenges respondents expressed when hiring new employees was finding qualified candidates.

“There is a misunderstanding that if there is high unemployment, there are great candidates,” Wolf said. “These companies are looking for very specific skills.”

Although the overall outlook for Houston is good, many companies are cautious because of worldwide economic instability, Wolf said. Still, he said he expects Houston to be able to continue to weather most rocky economic occurrences, as it has done in the past.

Excerpt from the article (for the full article, click here):

Don’t do what one operations manager did when she decided her new job wasn’t working out.

The manager had just started a job with a high-profile energy company in Houston, where she got a big raise, better benefits and a great package of stock options, recalled Keith Wolf, vice president of marketing for Houston recruiting firm Murray Resources.

But she apparently missed her old company and at the end of the first week – on a day her boss was out of the office – she dropped off her keys, access card and her resignation letter to human resources without saying a word.

“There’s nothing wrong with having second thoughts,” said Wolf, adding that the brief employer was a long-term client and didn’t blame his company for the bad exit etiquette. But recruiters can’t work with candidates who aren’t professional.

Always give a two-week notice, he said, even if it’s a job you can’t stand.

Workshop series to provide job search tips and career guidance for job seekers and working professionals

Houston, Texas – December 12, 2011 – Today, Murray Resources, a leading recruiting and staffing firm based in Houston, Texas, announced that the company is launching ‘Career Guider’ – a new workshop series designed for job seekers and working professionals seeking to expand and update their job search skills.

“We’re excited to bring job seekers and working professionals the ‘Career Guider’ series, as it represents another way that we can help candidates develop their careers and achieve their professional aspirations,” said Marsha Murray, President of Murray Resources.

Ms. Murray continued, “The workshop topics were developed based on input from job candidates, with each workshop focusing on a specific aspect of a candidate’s job search and career.”

The courses start on February 4^th, 2012 and candidates are invited to register for as many courses as they like. The company is offering a 20% early bird discount for registrations until January 15, 2012. To receive the discount, participants should enter EarlyB at checkout.

Course #1: Resume and Cover Letter Tips and Techniques

Course #2: How to Negotiate a Raise / Your Salary (Workshop / Seminar)

Course #3: Proper Business and Interview Etiquette (Workshop / Seminar)

Note: Seating is at each workshop is limited. For more information: info@murrayresources.com

About Murray Resources

Murray Resources is a leading recruiting firm and staffing agency based in Houston, Texas, providing quality professional-level placement services, as well as temporary, temp-to-hire, contract, payroll and direct hire administrative/clerical services. Over the past 23 years, Murray Resources has developed a unique placement process to match candidates based not only on experience and skill set, but also on how well a candidate can put that skill set to work within a particular corporate culture. Murray Resources’ 95% Performance Evaluation Score represents one of the highest placement satisfaction rates in the industry. For more information, contact Murray Resources at 713.935.0009 or visit www.murrayresources.com.

HOUSTON, November 11, 2011 – Today, Marsha Murray, President of Murray Resources, a leading recruiting and staffing firm based in Houston, Texas, was named to the list of “Who’s Who in Energy”.

The editors of the Houston Business Journal, Dallas Business Journal,  and Pittsburgh Business Times selected 300 key players in the energy industry, with selections based on a combination of open nominations, industry outreach, and internal research by each publication.

The full “Who’s Who in Energy” list can be found online at

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/print-edit….

“It’s an honor to be among an elite group that includes leaders from a diverse set of practice areas, including law, finance, engineering, and academia. It’s particularly gratifying to share the list with so many of Murray Resources’ client companies,” said Ms. Murray.

Ms. Murray originally founded Murray Resources as a home-based business in 1988. The firm has since grown to include a base of over 750 clients, including many in the energy industry, as well as over 8,000 candidates. Murray Resources has successfully placed thousands of job candidates in roles ranging from administrative positions to C-level executives – and has helped a number of Houston’s leading companies build their teams.

In a study commissioned by the firm, Murray Resources’ clients reported a 95 percent match satisfaction rate versus an industry rate of between 50 and 60 percent.  Murray Resources has been awarded the Houston West Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Star Award and has been recognized by the Houston Business Journal as one of Houston’s Fastest Growing Woman-Owned Businesses, as well as one of Houston’s Best Places to Work.

In 2004, the Small Business Administration in Houston named Ms. Murray Women’s Business Advocate of the Year. Ms. Murray is a member of the National Association of Personnel Services and is a past board President of the Texas Association of Placement Consultants. She is a former board member of the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance and a member of the National Women’s Business Owners Corporation.

About Murray Resources
Murray Resources is a leading Houston staffing agency, providing quality professional-level placement services, as well as temporary, temp-to-hire, contract, payroll and direct hire administrative/clerical services. Over the past 23 years, Murray Resources has developed a unique placement process to match candidates based not only on experience and skill set, but also on how well a candidate can put that skill set to work within a particular corporate culture. Murray Resources’ 95% Performance Evaluation Score represents one of the highest placement satisfaction rates in the industry. For more information, contact Murray Resources at 713.935.0009 or visit www.murrayresources.com.

Bi-Monthly Show to Interview and Highlight Houston Business Leaders

Houston, Texas – November 1, 2011 – Murray Resources, a leading recruiting and staffing firm based in Houston, Texas, today announced that the company’s President, Marsha Murray, will be featured on “The Price of Business” on News Talk 1070 AM, KNTH, Home of Bloomberg Radio in Houston, TX, as a contributor. The bi-monthly program, hosted by long-time business radio personality Kevin Price will feature interviews with some of Houston’s leading CEOs and company leaders.

“We are thrilled to be part of ‘The Price of Business’ radio program and to have the opportunity to share the insights of some of Houston’s most dynamic business leaders. I’m looking forward to working with Kevin on the show and it’s going to be a terrific opportunity to learn from some of the forward thinkers who drive Houston’s economy,” said Marsha Murray.

Kevin Price added, “Marsha has been a guest on my show several times and I have always enjoyed her unique insight and the passion she brings to the Houston business community. Because her company works with so many of Houston’s leading companies, Marsha brings an uncommon, insider’s perspective to which issues are top of mind among CEOs and top executives. It’s a thrill to now have her join the show as a co-host.”

Note, the above days and times are subject to change. For more information about Murray Resources and to listen to future shows online, visit Murray Resources’ website: http://www.murrayresources.com/press-room/

Guest ideas for “The Price of Business” can be submitted to priceofbusiness@murrayresources.com.

About Murray Resources

Murray Resources is a leading recruiting firm and staffing agency based in Houston, Texas, providing quality professional-level placement services, as well as temporary, temp-to-hire, contract, payroll and direct hire administrative/clerical services. Over the past 23 years, Murray Resources has developed a unique placement process to match candidates based not only on experience and skill set, but also on how well a candidate can put that skill set to work within a particular corporate culture. Murray Resources’ 95% Performance Evaluation Score represents one of the highest placement satisfaction rates in the industry. For more information, contact Murray Resources at 713.935.0009 or visit www.murrayresources.com.

Murray Resources, a leading recruiting and staffing firm based in Houston, Texas, hosted ‘Hot Topics In HR’ on Thursday, October 20th. The evening event was held at the Tasting Room, City Centre and featured wine tasting, appetizers, and talks by prominent Houston business leaders. The sold-out crowd included company leaders, HR staff, and hiring managers from across Houston.

“The ‘Hot Topics in HR’ event was an opportunity to bring together Houston business leaders in a relaxed environment to discuss human resource issues facing their companies,” said Marsha Murray, President of Murray Resources. “Event topics were selected based on feedback from our clients – we asked them what HR issues most concern them – and then we built a program to address those issues.”

Ms. Murray continued, “Based on the positive feedback from the event, we are anticipating conducting future ‘Hot Topics in HR’ events that continue to address those issues that are top of mind for employers.”

The event drew a mix of company leaders, HR directors and staff, corporate recruiters, and hiring managers. Attendees received 1.5 general certification credit hours from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) towards PHR, SPHR, and GPHR.

For information on future ‘Hot Topics in HR’ events, visit Murray Resources’ website: http://www.murrayresources.com/press-room/events/

About Murray Resources

Murray Resources is a leading recruiting firm and staffing agency based in Houston, Texas, providing quality professional-level placement services, as well as temporary, temp-to-hire, contract, payroll and direct hire administrative/clerical services. Over the past 23 years, Murray Resources has developed a unique placement process to match candidates based not only on experience and skill set, but also on how well a candidate can put that skill set to work within a particular corporate culture. Murray Resources’ 95% Performance Evaluation Score represents one of the highest placement satisfaction rates in the industry. For more information, contact Murray Resources at 713.935.0009 or visit www.murrayresources.com.

A drop in Houston-area private-sector jobs last month reflects the continuing struggles in the national economy, a Houston economist said after the latest jobs report came out Friday.

“Houston was doing really well this past spring and going into early summer,” said Barton Smith, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Houston. Smith called the Friday job report “mildly disappointing,” but not surprising given the debt troubles facing European nations and continuing sluggishness in the U.S. economic recovery.

Houston-area employers created 12,500 new jobs last month, mostly because of a typical end-of-summer surge in public school jobs, the Texas Workforce Commission reported.

But without those 16,100 new public sector jobs – a bump that occurs each fall as school bus drivers, janitors and cafeteria workers go back to work along with the students – Houston would have reported an overall loss in jobs.

That’s because the private sector cut 3,600 jobs last month, according to the monthly survey of employers who report the number of jobs they’ve added or cut. The tally is not adjusted for cyclical peaks and valleys that affect employment levels, such as academic calendars, planting and harvesting seasons, and holiday shopping surges.

“They’re not super negative numbers,” said Smith, who added that Houston is still doing better than the rest of the United States.

“But this notion that Houston is immune from the rest of the nation’s problems? It’s just not true,” he said.

Energy demand

Marsha Murray, president of Murray Resources, a personnel staffing firm, said she sees signs that the job market is improving.

“It seems to be picking up a little at a time,” she said, with demand coming from the energy and financial sectors. They’re looking for engineering, accounting and administrative employees, she said.

But it’s still a tight market for job seekers, Murray said. Employers are exacting about their requirements and they’re not willing to compromise on years of experience, skills or even on hiring someone who worked in a similar but different industry.

“It’s very discouraging for recent college graduates with little or no experience,” she said.

The local unemployment rate for September was 8.6 percent last month, the same as it was in August, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Local unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.

Patrick Jankowski, vice president of research at the Greater Houston Partnership, sees reason for optimism in strong export demand from Latin America and Asia, coupled with continued growth in oil exploration and production.

The surge in horizontal drilling and shale plays is encouraging Houston job growth, he said. The technology to extract hard-to-reach oil from shale requires more employees and capital investment than traditional oil drilling methods, he said.

Meanwhile, demand from emerging markets is spurring local manufacturing, trade and transportation growth, he said, pointing to year-over-year job creation data.

The Houston area added 66,300 jobs from September 2010 to September 2011, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. That represents a 2.6 percent year-over-year increase and is more than twice the 31,900 new jobs Houston created in the year beginning in September 2009. Over the last three months, he said, the Houston area has been adding more than 60,000 jobs a month on a year-over-year basis.

Perhaps worse?

Smith estimates that 65 percent of all the job growth in Houston during the past 12 months can be attributed to energy exploration and production.

The industry is “carrying the day” as it brings in outside dollars and promotes overall growth, he said.

“If it weren’t for upstream energy,” Smith said, “Houston wouldn’t look any better than the rest of the United States, and perhaps worse.”

Marsha Murray started her first employee recruiting firm back in 1988, seeking to match candidates and clients for the long haul.

By asking the tough, in-depth questions but also showing each candidate the respect she says they deserve, Murray boasts a 95 percent client satisfaction rate, with 43 percent of her business coming from referrals. Her average client has been with the firm 11 years, although she has some who’ve been with her since the first day she opened her predecessor business, Memorial City Personnel, more than 20 years ago.

Murray spoke with Houston Business Journal reporter Bayan Raji about her job-interviewing secrets and her serious passion for golf.

What was your first job?

I worked in the candy department at Sears when I was 16. I always life-guarded at swimming pools and taught a lot of swimming lessons. That was always my favorite job.

What job interview faux pas have you committed?

The only one that comes to mind was when I was going to school in Austin. I was applying for a part-time job at a clothing boutique, and I mentioned I wasn’t sure if I’d be back the next semester, because I wasn’t sure at the time. Of course I didn’t get the position.

What are the top three questions to ask in a job interview?

“If I could create the perfect career opportunity for you what would it look like?” I use that question if I’m trying to make sure that person is committed to the position they’re interviewing for.

“Everyone in their life has personal adversity and challenges. Give me an example of an adversity you’ve been faced with and how you overcame that.” With this question I’m looking for someone who faces adversity and challenges head on. I’m looking more for an attitude. How they look at it, relate to it and changed their life as a result.

“Of all the positions you’ve had, what is your the favorite and why?” I like to ask this because culture is critical to success and you’ve got to be sure you’ve making a good fit.

What’s your hidden talent?

My husband flies as a hobby. When we first got married we visited his parents in Wisconsin often. I’m a little bit too much of a control freak to get 35,000 feet in the air and not know how to get down. I trained, really for safety reasons, and got my license.

What do you try to do in your free time?

Read or exercise. I’m very boring in my reading in that I like to read business books. I’d like to get back into novels. I like health and fitness. I like to run and, depending on the weather, I go to The Houstonian and run the track or work with weights.

What’s playing on your iPod?

Adele, Lady Antebellum, and there’s a couple of Lady Gaga songs I listen to at the gym. Any kind of upbeat music.

The redesigned logo – with its progressive, all blue caps lettering, represents the first change to the company’s logo since 2004. The revamped website includes a number of valuable resources for employers, corporate recruiters, and hiring managers who are looking to build their teams, as well as information for individuals seeking career tips and advice as they navigate their careers.

“We’re excited to unveil our new logo and website, as they reflect just how far Murray Resources has come since we started the company 23 years ago with just one client. Today we serve a database of over 8,000 candidates and 750 Houston employers, including numerous Fortune 500 companies. Our average client has been working with us for over 11 years, so we’re particularly proud that we’ve been able to grow along with our clients,” said Marsha Murray, Founder and President of Murray Resources.

Murray Resources’ website includes the following features for Houston employers:

• Murray Resources case studies
• Client videos and testimonials
• Employer tips newsletter
• Recruiting and management white papers / resource documents
• Employer ‘Hot Topics in HR’ event listings

The new website also includes the following resources of Houston job seekers:

• Listings of open Houston jobs
• Resume submission form
• ‘Featured Jobs’ newsletter
• Job search tips and resources
• Job seeker seminar listings

About Murray Resources:
Murray Resources is a leading Houston recruiting firm and staffing agency, providing quality professional-level placement, temporary, temp-to-hire, and contract resources. The firm also offers payrolling, onsite recruiting management, and skills testing / assessment services. Over the past 23 years, Murray Resources has developed a unique placement process to match candidates based not only on experience and skill set, but also on how well a candidate can put that skill set to work within a particular corporate culture. Murray Resources’ 95% Performance Evaluation Score represents one of the highest placement satisfaction rates in the industry. For more information, contact Murray Resources at 713.935.0009 or visit www.murrayresources.com.