Every time I have to ask myself this kind of question, I realize that I have that much more maturing to do, but I'll ask anyway.....
Why is it that people who are out of work are reluctant to try new methods of job hunting? I offer to help people where I live, and there seems to be few takers in a down economy. I'm not a job hunting expert, but having done enough of it, had outplacement training a couple of times, etc., I have some insights and contacts that I'm happy to share with job seekers, but I get few serious requests. (checks armpits---nope, nice and clean).
I especially get concerned about those who haven't had to look for a job in a long time (anything over 10 years, or as close as 5 years ago), as the "game" of job hunting has had all kinds of rule changes.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me implore you all again---be preparing for your next job while in the one you have, and if you find yourself out of work, be a guerrilla job hunter, working every angle at finding your next gig. I feel deeply for people who are unemployed, and feel frustrated when I see them not aggressively searching with a variety of methods that are necessary in today's job hunting climate.
Showing posts with label shaky economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shaky economy. Show all posts
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
"Survivor" for the Class of 2010
The Wall St. Journal has an superb article on the reality of the job market today specifically directed at the new college graduates...more information below.
I can still remember "way back when" I was newly starting out, believing what I referred to as "the lie" --- "if you go to college, you'll get a good job." Of course, when you graduate and encounter reality, you're incensed! It isn't really a "lie" that you can get a good job with a college education, it's just that reality wasn't explained more clearly to you. As my father explained to me once, education provides you with an OPPORTUNITY for success, not a guarantee. I can guarantee that if you don't have a college education in 2010, your opportunities will be very limited.
An illustration of the harshness of reality may be helpful here. I knew a young man who in 1990 who was about to graduate and confidently stated, "I think my degree will be worth about $30,000 a year." I was listening to him along with another man who had worked hard to build his roofing company, and at this announcement, me and the roofer instinctively turned to look at each other and just started laughing out loud. The soon-to-be college graduate was somewhat insulted. I told him that, in effect, the world didn't care about his education and surely wouldn't pay him for having gone to school. Now, I didn't want to hurt his confidence, but I did want to convey what I had learned (the hard way)---that most young college graduates have what Robert Ringer (Looking Out for Number One) calls "The World Owes Me a Living Disease." No one owes anyone anything (Someone should let our current government leaders know this.). The fact that you were disciplined enough to finish a college degree says a lot of positive things about you as a person, and in some fields, there is a body of knowledge with which you have become familiar in getting your degree, but in reality, rather than shake your hand, the world is more likely to kick you in the butt, punting you to the curb. Now is the time for you to kick your parents in the butt if they ever told you life is fair. They lied.
Another sad truth is that most young college graduates have no training in job searching in 2010, which is a full-body contact sport with a lot of veteran players on the field. A relative recently graduated from college, and he seemed somewhat aware of the tough road ahead. Of course, having spent his last 7 years in college (!), he has no real idea of the tsunami of reality about to hit him.
Perhaps this Wall St. Journal article can be the kick in the pants for you or a young college grad you know. It's part of life's body of knowledge that you most likely never learned in college, but is every bit as critical as the subjects you studied to earn your degree. Your toughness and tenacity is what you will need to survive in the workforce....and I would add your faith, your patience, and your persistence. "Wax on; wax off."
------------------------------EXCERPTS FROM THE ARTICLE:
"Over the next few weeks, hundreds of thousands of Millennials will graduate from institutions of higher learning. They will celebrate for several days, perhaps several weeks. Then they will enter a labor force that neither wants nor needs them. They will enter an economy where roughly 17% of people aged 20 through 24 do not have a job, and where two million college graduates are unemployed. They will enter a world where they will compete tooth and nail for jobs as waitresses, pizza delivery men, file clerks, bouncers, trainee busboys, assistant baristas, interns at bodegas."
"Young people can be forgiven for thinking that the portrayal of the working world in comedies like "The Office" and "Office Space" is completely over the top. Now they're going to find out otherwise. Reality is a mean trick that grown-ups play on the young."
"It's brutal out there, all right. Blogs and instant messaging and social networking systems don't help much because everyone is using the same cutting-edge tools to compete for the same low-tech jobs. The easiest way to get a job is still the oldest way: To know somebody who can get you a job or give you a job."
Read this article in it's entirety! It'll be worth every minute. The full article is at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704250104575238692439240552.html. It's a must read for everyone, not just college students.
I can still remember "way back when" I was newly starting out, believing what I referred to as "the lie" --- "if you go to college, you'll get a good job." Of course, when you graduate and encounter reality, you're incensed! It isn't really a "lie" that you can get a good job with a college education, it's just that reality wasn't explained more clearly to you. As my father explained to me once, education provides you with an OPPORTUNITY for success, not a guarantee. I can guarantee that if you don't have a college education in 2010, your opportunities will be very limited.
An illustration of the harshness of reality may be helpful here. I knew a young man who in 1990 who was about to graduate and confidently stated, "I think my degree will be worth about $30,000 a year." I was listening to him along with another man who had worked hard to build his roofing company, and at this announcement, me and the roofer instinctively turned to look at each other and just started laughing out loud. The soon-to-be college graduate was somewhat insulted. I told him that, in effect, the world didn't care about his education and surely wouldn't pay him for having gone to school. Now, I didn't want to hurt his confidence, but I did want to convey what I had learned (the hard way)---that most young college graduates have what Robert Ringer (Looking Out for Number One) calls "The World Owes Me a Living Disease." No one owes anyone anything (Someone should let our current government leaders know this.). The fact that you were disciplined enough to finish a college degree says a lot of positive things about you as a person, and in some fields, there is a body of knowledge with which you have become familiar in getting your degree, but in reality, rather than shake your hand, the world is more likely to kick you in the butt, punting you to the curb. Now is the time for you to kick your parents in the butt if they ever told you life is fair. They lied.
Another sad truth is that most young college graduates have no training in job searching in 2010, which is a full-body contact sport with a lot of veteran players on the field. A relative recently graduated from college, and he seemed somewhat aware of the tough road ahead. Of course, having spent his last 7 years in college (!), he has no real idea of the tsunami of reality about to hit him.
Perhaps this Wall St. Journal article can be the kick in the pants for you or a young college grad you know. It's part of life's body of knowledge that you most likely never learned in college, but is every bit as critical as the subjects you studied to earn your degree. Your toughness and tenacity is what you will need to survive in the workforce....and I would add your faith, your patience, and your persistence. "Wax on; wax off."
------------------------------EXCERPTS FROM THE ARTICLE:
"Over the next few weeks, hundreds of thousands of Millennials will graduate from institutions of higher learning. They will celebrate for several days, perhaps several weeks. Then they will enter a labor force that neither wants nor needs them. They will enter an economy where roughly 17% of people aged 20 through 24 do not have a job, and where two million college graduates are unemployed. They will enter a world where they will compete tooth and nail for jobs as waitresses, pizza delivery men, file clerks, bouncers, trainee busboys, assistant baristas, interns at bodegas."
"Young people can be forgiven for thinking that the portrayal of the working world in comedies like "The Office" and "Office Space" is completely over the top. Now they're going to find out otherwise. Reality is a mean trick that grown-ups play on the young."
"It's brutal out there, all right. Blogs and instant messaging and social networking systems don't help much because everyone is using the same cutting-edge tools to compete for the same low-tech jobs. The easiest way to get a job is still the oldest way: To know somebody who can get you a job or give you a job."
Read this article in it's entirety! It'll be worth every minute. The full article is at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704250104575238692439240552.html. It's a must read for everyone, not just college students.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Ecclesiastes 3:6 "A time for search and a time for loss; a time to keep and a time to give away"
Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a fixed time, and a time for every business under the sun.
When you get some time to examine yourself, especially if you are busy searching for your next career opportunity, you may find that your mind wanders off in many directions. Perhaps, you think, you could make a living as a fisherman or fireman or circus freak like you dreamed of doing when you were a child. Maybe what you've been doing isn't what you really want to do or what you feel God has planned for you in life. We should always be asking ourselves hard questions about our direction in life, but most of the time, we excuse ourselves as just being way too busy.
Always having been one to spend a lot of time in reflection (some might say way too much), I imagine the many different courses my life could have had, has had, is on, and/or could take, and frankly, it's both terrifying and exciting! Like the next person, I enjoy the comfort that is the American standard of living, but if all we are concerned with is physical comfort (i.e. "making a living"), are we experiencing "life" or just "physical existence?" Years ago, I remember being in a dead-end job, thinking, "God, is this it? Is this all there is to life?" When you pose that question directly to God, you probably should have your seat belt on and tray tables in an upright position. It's at that point that I think He must deem us teachable, and class usually commences shortly after we pose such a question.
I'm reading Bob Buford's Half Time (Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance) right now, and I highly/especially recommend it for anyone approaching that "reassessment" period in his or her life. I'm guessing that a lot of people are experiencing "reassessment" as they find themselves looking for work during this economic downturn that has turned out so many long-tenured, experienced workers.
As you think about your life and career---and this is largely the point; YOU MUST TAKE TIME TO REFLECT---lose yourself in your dreams and imagination. You may be holding yourself back from something wonderful that matches with what you believe is your life's mission. Sure, some people are so far underwater with the cares of life that they can't hope to reach their life's vision in the foreseeable future. If in frustration we give up and stop dreaming, we become real-world versions of Star Trek's Borg. Realization of some dreams just takes more time and commitment, and some changes in life require greater commitment than thinking about it one afternoon and deciding to act.
It's a good thing it takes many years to get to adulthood. When we're "grown up," we have finally reached a point where we can possibly learn about ourselves---if we are willing to take the time and effort.
When you get some time to examine yourself, especially if you are busy searching for your next career opportunity, you may find that your mind wanders off in many directions. Perhaps, you think, you could make a living as a fisherman or fireman or circus freak like you dreamed of doing when you were a child. Maybe what you've been doing isn't what you really want to do or what you feel God has planned for you in life. We should always be asking ourselves hard questions about our direction in life, but most of the time, we excuse ourselves as just being way too busy.
Always having been one to spend a lot of time in reflection (some might say way too much), I imagine the many different courses my life could have had, has had, is on, and/or could take, and frankly, it's both terrifying and exciting! Like the next person, I enjoy the comfort that is the American standard of living, but if all we are concerned with is physical comfort (i.e. "making a living"), are we experiencing "life" or just "physical existence?" Years ago, I remember being in a dead-end job, thinking, "God, is this it? Is this all there is to life?" When you pose that question directly to God, you probably should have your seat belt on and tray tables in an upright position. It's at that point that I think He must deem us teachable, and class usually commences shortly after we pose such a question.
I'm reading Bob Buford's Half Time (Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance) right now, and I highly/especially recommend it for anyone approaching that "reassessment" period in his or her life. I'm guessing that a lot of people are experiencing "reassessment" as they find themselves looking for work during this economic downturn that has turned out so many long-tenured, experienced workers.
As you think about your life and career---and this is largely the point; YOU MUST TAKE TIME TO REFLECT---lose yourself in your dreams and imagination. You may be holding yourself back from something wonderful that matches with what you believe is your life's mission. Sure, some people are so far underwater with the cares of life that they can't hope to reach their life's vision in the foreseeable future. If in frustration we give up and stop dreaming, we become real-world versions of Star Trek's Borg. Realization of some dreams just takes more time and commitment, and some changes in life require greater commitment than thinking about it one afternoon and deciding to act.
It's a good thing it takes many years to get to adulthood. When we're "grown up," we have finally reached a point where we can possibly learn about ourselves---if we are willing to take the time and effort.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Employment Situation Information for Those in Texas
The Texas Workforce Commission provides detailed information on Texas economics as related to jobs (http://www.twc.state.tx.us/customers/jsemp/jsemp.html). If you need to get some data on Texas and your area in Texas, this is a good place to get it. If you are from another state, check with your state government/unemployment office for these figures.
A key indicator of employment trends in Texas is the statement, "The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March remained unchanged at 8.2 percent for the fifth consecutive month, and continues to trend well below the March U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 9.7 percent. At more than 12.1 million workers, the Texas Civilian Labor Force grew by nearly 29,000 workers in March."
The unemployment rate in Texas is significantly lower that the rest of the United States: 8.2 vs. 10.2 (see partial chart below). It is important to note, however, that for Texas and the US in general, the unemployment rate has risen over the past year by 1.2%, and if you're out there job hunting, you know how much of a challenge finding a job is.
Click image for larger view.
The point of all of the statistical information is to help us all understand state and national trends affecting our job searches. Yeah, I know, "so what?" Well, since economics and hiring is based on perception -- either "gut feeling" ("We think we're doing better, so let's hire people.") or by numbers ("These stats show some improvement in economic conditions, so let's hire people."), it is enlightening to know if you have a better chance at getting a new job. Feeling more confident about success in finding a job will also improve your attitude, and potential employers can pick up your attitude in your correspondence, your phone screens, and definitely in your face-to-face interviews. Hey, if nothing else, your family and friends will appreciate your better attitude. Come on, you know you haven't been fun to be around when you are in a nasty state of mind.
"The Labor Market & Career Information Department (LMCI) of the Texas Workforce Commission provides statistics and analyses on the dynamics of the Texas labor market and informational products designed to support informed educational and career decisions. In addition, LMCI provides a wide array of career and occupational information through software programs and printed publications. Visit the LMCI website at http://www.lmci.state.tx.us for additional products and services. For more information or questions about our data, please contact labor market analysts by phone at 1-866-938-4444, or by email at lmci@twc.state.tx.us."
A key indicator of employment trends in Texas is the statement, "The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March remained unchanged at 8.2 percent for the fifth consecutive month, and continues to trend well below the March U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 9.7 percent. At more than 12.1 million workers, the Texas Civilian Labor Force grew by nearly 29,000 workers in March."
The unemployment rate in Texas is significantly lower that the rest of the United States: 8.2 vs. 10.2 (see partial chart below). It is important to note, however, that for Texas and the US in general, the unemployment rate has risen over the past year by 1.2%, and if you're out there job hunting, you know how much of a challenge finding a job is.
The point of all of the statistical information is to help us all understand state and national trends affecting our job searches. Yeah, I know, "so what?" Well, since economics and hiring is based on perception -- either "gut feeling" ("We think we're doing better, so let's hire people.") or by numbers ("These stats show some improvement in economic conditions, so let's hire people."), it is enlightening to know if you have a better chance at getting a new job. Feeling more confident about success in finding a job will also improve your attitude, and potential employers can pick up your attitude in your correspondence, your phone screens, and definitely in your face-to-face interviews. Hey, if nothing else, your family and friends will appreciate your better attitude. Come on, you know you haven't been fun to be around when you are in a nasty state of mind.
"The Labor Market & Career Information Department (LMCI) of the Texas Workforce Commission provides statistics and analyses on the dynamics of the Texas labor market and informational products designed to support informed educational and career decisions. In addition, LMCI provides a wide array of career and occupational information through software programs and printed publications. Visit the LMCI website at http://www.lmci.state.tx.us for additional products and services. For more information or questions about our data, please contact labor market analysts by phone at 1-866-938-4444, or by email at lmci@twc.state.tx.us."
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sadness...
I'm sure some who'll read this will write me off as a nut job, but having been given reasonable mental ability and a fascination with the behavior of human beings, I can only express sadness for the actions of many of our politicians (not leaders) of late. The great men who founded this country would be shocked to see our government forcing anything on Americans, a majority of whom do not favor it. The health care debacle will haunt us the rest of our lives and will negatively impact an already sad state of affairs for job seekers.
I so hope the coming years will prove me wrong. This isn't 1964 with a large group of Americans being savagely discriminated against--many thought wrongly regarding discrimination and desegregation in those days. This is 2010 with a mixed-race man in the White House who won't release his full birth certificate information, and who seems bent on taking America down a road to be just like "the rest of the world." Folks, I don't know about you, but I don't want to be like the rest of the world--otherwise, I'd move there. We have the highest standard of living in this country in the world, and if you've traveled anywhere outside the US, you know just how true this is.
That's why people come here anyway they can from everywhere, seeking the opportunities (not guarantees) that this country offers. What I think is ironic is that some want to give it all away, not realizing that in doing so, they will make this country less desirable to live in, and in the process, take money away from people who are working hard and give it to someone else. I think most Americans are very compassionate people, giving more money away than anyone else, trying to help other countries and other people. Sure, we're not perfect, and even a cursory walk through US history would turn up big mistakes, but I believe that the collective desire of Americans is to do good and help other people, or so I was raised to believe.
Why is it that at this time, politicians force something on people that is clearly not supported by the majority? Didn't Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence and address similar abuses that the colonists had to endure from England? I don't begrudge helping to take care of people who can't help themselves, and I know that there are some who can't. But I also know that there are some who can and choose not to. By adopting the socialist model for healthcare, there will be no incentive for those people to work, since the government will meet their healthcare needs on top of their food, housing, etc. needs. The poorest person in this country is richer than most of the rest of the world. Healthcare is available and affordable, though we all like to whine about its cost. For most Americans, we'd just have to play less and waste less money in order to pay for healthcare---if we were more responsible adults.
I know it sounds like I'm on a rant, but I just hate that I have to continue to work hard to provide for my family, and now a government already too big is telling me that I have to buy something whether I like it or not and help to pay for it for others who don't necessarily deserve it. In addition, the economic impact on the country of adopting this plan will seriously impact the country. People, we are seriously in debt, and we have politicians who insist that they way to get out of indebtedness is to spend more money! This healthcare bill has the potential to send us into bankruptcy, and I'm still scratching my head when I hear people talking about what good managers the government will be--the same folks who bring you the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, the VA, etc. Yep, quality management there.
I know liberals don't worry about things like the economy and personal responsibility for your station in life, that those who are concerned about such things are evil, capitalist robber-baron types, but most liberals don't mind the amenities (standard of living, freedom, etc.) that this country affords them. Some decry capitalism as evil, but it is the nature of man that is evil and separated from God. THAT is what produces abuses in all forms of human government. Say whatever you like, but we are losing our country in much the same way the Romans lost Rome (see http://www.thefreemanonline.org/featured/the-fall-of-rome-and-modern-parallels/) ---their worst enemy was their laziness and gluttony. Government handouts/entitlements and suit-happy citizens and their shyster lawyers looking for quick wealth are easy illustrations of the laziness, envy, gluttony, and sad state of America.
Our country was founded by men who were sick and tired of having to endure unfair laws and rules imposed on them from afar, and I think that same mood exists in most Americans today....or, perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps most Americans would prefer to sit on their collective backsides, party, eat, play, and collect "free" money. That is not what I signed on for in life, and as a Christian, that is not what I am called to. I usually don't discuss this kind of thing, but it's just that watching this country implode like this is painful and sad.
I so hope the coming years will prove me wrong. This isn't 1964 with a large group of Americans being savagely discriminated against--many thought wrongly regarding discrimination and desegregation in those days. This is 2010 with a mixed-race man in the White House who won't release his full birth certificate information, and who seems bent on taking America down a road to be just like "the rest of the world." Folks, I don't know about you, but I don't want to be like the rest of the world--otherwise, I'd move there. We have the highest standard of living in this country in the world, and if you've traveled anywhere outside the US, you know just how true this is.
That's why people come here anyway they can from everywhere, seeking the opportunities (not guarantees) that this country offers. What I think is ironic is that some want to give it all away, not realizing that in doing so, they will make this country less desirable to live in, and in the process, take money away from people who are working hard and give it to someone else. I think most Americans are very compassionate people, giving more money away than anyone else, trying to help other countries and other people. Sure, we're not perfect, and even a cursory walk through US history would turn up big mistakes, but I believe that the collective desire of Americans is to do good and help other people, or so I was raised to believe.
Why is it that at this time, politicians force something on people that is clearly not supported by the majority? Didn't Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence and address similar abuses that the colonists had to endure from England? I don't begrudge helping to take care of people who can't help themselves, and I know that there are some who can't. But I also know that there are some who can and choose not to. By adopting the socialist model for healthcare, there will be no incentive for those people to work, since the government will meet their healthcare needs on top of their food, housing, etc. needs. The poorest person in this country is richer than most of the rest of the world. Healthcare is available and affordable, though we all like to whine about its cost. For most Americans, we'd just have to play less and waste less money in order to pay for healthcare---if we were more responsible adults.
I know it sounds like I'm on a rant, but I just hate that I have to continue to work hard to provide for my family, and now a government already too big is telling me that I have to buy something whether I like it or not and help to pay for it for others who don't necessarily deserve it. In addition, the economic impact on the country of adopting this plan will seriously impact the country. People, we are seriously in debt, and we have politicians who insist that they way to get out of indebtedness is to spend more money! This healthcare bill has the potential to send us into bankruptcy, and I'm still scratching my head when I hear people talking about what good managers the government will be--the same folks who bring you the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, the VA, etc. Yep, quality management there.
I know liberals don't worry about things like the economy and personal responsibility for your station in life, that those who are concerned about such things are evil, capitalist robber-baron types, but most liberals don't mind the amenities (standard of living, freedom, etc.) that this country affords them. Some decry capitalism as evil, but it is the nature of man that is evil and separated from God. THAT is what produces abuses in all forms of human government. Say whatever you like, but we are losing our country in much the same way the Romans lost Rome (see http://www.thefreemanonline.org/featured/the-fall-of-rome-and-modern-parallels/) ---their worst enemy was their laziness and gluttony. Government handouts/entitlements and suit-happy citizens and their shyster lawyers looking for quick wealth are easy illustrations of the laziness, envy, gluttony, and sad state of America.
Our country was founded by men who were sick and tired of having to endure unfair laws and rules imposed on them from afar, and I think that same mood exists in most Americans today....or, perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps most Americans would prefer to sit on their collective backsides, party, eat, play, and collect "free" money. That is not what I signed on for in life, and as a Christian, that is not what I am called to. I usually don't discuss this kind of thing, but it's just that watching this country implode like this is painful and sad.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Contracting: Reality in the Current State of Things
I remember reading some years back that "in the 21st century, many people would be free agents, contractors," but I didn't really believe it. There are so many reasons for hiring a person, none the least of which is ownership and productivity. However, after being a contractor for just about a year, I'm not dismissing that as an option anymore.....but then again, I wonder if I can make a living with multiple income streams, some of which involve gardening and woodworking.
I've spent most of this past year in a focused, informed, network-savvy job search. I've done some presentations at professional groups, had some interviews, even 2nd and 3rd interviews, but no offers. In the past, I've averaged a couple of calls a week, and on a good week, I would have two interviews with two separate companies. Not so at the present time.
It's not that I don't like my present contracting situation--it honestly doesn't pay too badly. It's just that there are no benefits--especially health insurance--and that puts a damper on things. (Disclaimer: I do not support the socialized medicine that our current administration is pushing. When a high-ranking Canadian official comes to the US for surgery that he could get "free" in Canada, that says a lot about the highly-touted Canadian system and others like it.) So, a major concern is health insurance, and if you've had to buy insurance privately, you know why that is an issue. If you haven't, pray that you never have to, and have an AED nearby when they tell you the rates.
The other thing about contracting is that no matter how involved you get in the business, no matter how great your co-workers are about making you feel at home, you will always be a NON-EMPLOYEE. I'm not saying that my current contracting company treats me badly; they don't. It's just that as a contractor, you do not share in any of the "company" things, and there are some issues you have to steer clear of, as no one wants a co-employment issue to crop up.
Companies like contractors because they aren't as difficult to get rid of (pretty much a phone call will take care of it), and companies want to bring in just the right skills for just the right job. Of course, that only happens in the bizarro world. Though a contractor does bring established skills that are useful to a company they contract for, he or she must also get a lay of the land and understand the issues surrounding the work they are contracted to do. Perhaps some contract positions/temp employees may be able to "drop in" and perform a job adequately, but others need time to assimilate to the work environment, learn what has been done, and understand the political situation to be effective.
I wonder if when regular employees see contractors filling positions that could be and would be better be served by a regular employee, they may become less engaged (a hot topic these days), as they may be concerned that their position may be given to a contractor or that they are always preparing for the eventual departure of the short-term contractor.
Companies like to tout contracting as being cheaper, but in reality, after the fees by the contracting company (the contractor's employer of record) are taken into account, the cost is about the same. The only difference is that you have a worker who does not have the same investment in the company's success as a regular employee and who is looking for his or her next contract from almost the start of the job.
Rebecca Metschke has done it again.....see the article that sparked my comments on contracting.
With unemployment stuck on “high” and millions of people in the “long term unemployed” bucket, seismic shifts are taking place in the composition of the workforce.
According to author Richard Greenwald, 20% to 23% of U.S workers are “operating as consultants, freelancers, free agents, contractors, or rmicropreneurs.”
Think about that. Close to one quarter of working Americans are employed on a contingent basis.
Goodbye, defined career paths and benefits – hello, project-to-project work.
With the employment picture looking gloomy for literally years to come, contracting may be in your future, too (if you haven’t gotten there already).
I know many folks who were forced out of traditional jobs during the last recession – and quite a few are still working for themselves today.
Contracting/freelancing/consulting isn’t easy, especially if all you’ve ever known is the 9-to-5 world…but it can be rewarding. Many independent employees will tell you they don’t ever want to go back.
Bottom line: given the lackluster employment outlook, you may very well end up being the boss of you, whether or not that’s what you were planning.
The Interview Edge- a comprehensive guide for people who are serious about their careers. Available in instantly downloadable format.
I've spent most of this past year in a focused, informed, network-savvy job search. I've done some presentations at professional groups, had some interviews, even 2nd and 3rd interviews, but no offers. In the past, I've averaged a couple of calls a week, and on a good week, I would have two interviews with two separate companies. Not so at the present time.
It's not that I don't like my present contracting situation--it honestly doesn't pay too badly. It's just that there are no benefits--especially health insurance--and that puts a damper on things. (Disclaimer: I do not support the socialized medicine that our current administration is pushing. When a high-ranking Canadian official comes to the US for surgery that he could get "free" in Canada, that says a lot about the highly-touted Canadian system and others like it.) So, a major concern is health insurance, and if you've had to buy insurance privately, you know why that is an issue. If you haven't, pray that you never have to, and have an AED nearby when they tell you the rates.
The other thing about contracting is that no matter how involved you get in the business, no matter how great your co-workers are about making you feel at home, you will always be a NON-EMPLOYEE. I'm not saying that my current contracting company treats me badly; they don't. It's just that as a contractor, you do not share in any of the "company" things, and there are some issues you have to steer clear of, as no one wants a co-employment issue to crop up.
Companies like contractors because they aren't as difficult to get rid of (pretty much a phone call will take care of it), and companies want to bring in just the right skills for just the right job. Of course, that only happens in the bizarro world. Though a contractor does bring established skills that are useful to a company they contract for, he or she must also get a lay of the land and understand the issues surrounding the work they are contracted to do. Perhaps some contract positions/temp employees may be able to "drop in" and perform a job adequately, but others need time to assimilate to the work environment, learn what has been done, and understand the political situation to be effective.
I wonder if when regular employees see contractors filling positions that could be and would be better be served by a regular employee, they may become less engaged (a hot topic these days), as they may be concerned that their position may be given to a contractor or that they are always preparing for the eventual departure of the short-term contractor.
Companies like to tout contracting as being cheaper, but in reality, after the fees by the contracting company (the contractor's employer of record) are taken into account, the cost is about the same. The only difference is that you have a worker who does not have the same investment in the company's success as a regular employee and who is looking for his or her next contract from almost the start of the job.
Rebecca Metschke has done it again.....see the article that sparked my comments on contracting.
Are You the Boss of You?
Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal ran an interesting piece about the “age of going solo” – working for yourself. While it focused on the ins and outs of how to succeed as a consultant, I was struck by the snapshot of today’s workforce in the article’s setup.With unemployment stuck on “high” and millions of people in the “long term unemployed” bucket, seismic shifts are taking place in the composition of the workforce.
According to author Richard Greenwald, 20% to 23% of U.S workers are “operating as consultants, freelancers, free agents, contractors, or rmicropreneurs.”
Think about that. Close to one quarter of working Americans are employed on a contingent basis.
Goodbye, defined career paths and benefits – hello, project-to-project work.
With the employment picture looking gloomy for literally years to come, contracting may be in your future, too (if you haven’t gotten there already).
I know many folks who were forced out of traditional jobs during the last recession – and quite a few are still working for themselves today.
Contracting/freelancing/consulting isn’t easy, especially if all you’ve ever known is the 9-to-5 world…but it can be rewarding. Many independent employees will tell you they don’t ever want to go back.
Bottom line: given the lackluster employment outlook, you may very well end up being the boss of you, whether or not that’s what you were planning.
The Interview Edge- a comprehensive guide for people who are serious about their careers. Available in instantly downloadable format.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Reasons to Invest in Your Career NOW
Found a new job hunting site that appears to be targeted at new college grads and 20-somethings http://www.careerealism.com.
This site looks like a 2 x 4 across the forehead for a generation that grew up on the relative affluence of the late 1980's and 1990's, but I know that those of us who are out of our 20s need to hear the same message...don't sit around and just answer Internet job openings all day. According to CNN, there are 6 people seeking work for every job opening. While I would challenge that 6:1 is true of every career field, it surely is in some, and as those of us actively hunting for a new job, we know it's tough right now; but then again, so is sitting around doing nothing and whining. Don't let these numbers bum you out; let it be a challenge to meet head on. Like I was once told, "You're looking for a job and not many openings. Thing is, you only need 1 job."
YIKES!
Students are on their own when it comes to finding a job – and it’s not pretty. I think the worst part is to see most of them believe the answer is to just stay in school and spend even more money on an advanced degree. I wish they could talk with all the unemployed MBAs out there right now who are knee-deep in loan debt.
Reality-check for College Students & Recent Grads
How you look for work, as well as how you find work you love has changed deeply in the last 20 years. And yet, college teaches you everything EXCEPT how to get the job. That being said, there are two ways you can attempt to learn what you need to in order to take control of your future.
1) You can try figuring it out for yourself. Unfortunately, most students opt for this, get too busy at school, and end up putting it off until they graduate. They return home, unemployed and hundreds of miles from their campus career center.
2) You can invest in a program that can help you get organized and focus on the right things to do to identify a career path and land a job. [Note: This is the site's sales pitch.]
Let’s face it, the latter option is going to help you more and is much faster.
And still, if that doesn’t convince you…
Here are 15 reasons why you should invest in your career early:
This site looks like a 2 x 4 across the forehead for a generation that grew up on the relative affluence of the late 1980's and 1990's, but I know that those of us who are out of our 20s need to hear the same message...don't sit around and just answer Internet job openings all day. According to CNN, there are 6 people seeking work for every job opening. While I would challenge that 6:1 is true of every career field, it surely is in some, and as those of us actively hunting for a new job, we know it's tough right now; but then again, so is sitting around doing nothing and whining. Don't let these numbers bum you out; let it be a challenge to meet head on. Like I was once told, "You're looking for a job and not many openings. Thing is, you only need 1 job."
15 Reasons Professionals (Ages 18-25) MUST Invest in Their Careers NOW
December 10, 2009 by sparktalk By CAREEREALISM Founder, J.T. O’Donnell
I saw this video on CNNMoney.com of college seniors being interviewed about their future plans after graduation this spring: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/12/04/n_cmr_class_2010-jobs.cnnmoney/.YIKES!
Students are on their own when it comes to finding a job – and it’s not pretty. I think the worst part is to see most of them believe the answer is to just stay in school and spend even more money on an advanced degree. I wish they could talk with all the unemployed MBAs out there right now who are knee-deep in loan debt.
Reality-check for College Students & Recent Grads
How you look for work, as well as how you find work you love has changed deeply in the last 20 years. And yet, college teaches you everything EXCEPT how to get the job. That being said, there are two ways you can attempt to learn what you need to in order to take control of your future.
1) You can try figuring it out for yourself. Unfortunately, most students opt for this, get too busy at school, and end up putting it off until they graduate. They return home, unemployed and hundreds of miles from their campus career center.
2) You can invest in a program that can help you get organized and focus on the right things to do to identify a career path and land a job. [Note: This is the site's sales pitch.]
Let’s face it, the latter option is going to help you more and is much faster.
And still, if that doesn’t convince you…
Here are 15 reasons why you should invest in your career early:
- 23%. How much a college education has gone up in the last 10 years.
- 11%. How much the starting salaries of college grads have gone down in the last 10 years. (FYI – In 1985, the average starting salary for a college grad was $40,300. In 2008, the average starting salary was only $39,000 and it continues to drop in this recession.)
- Less than 50%. The number of students who ever see the financial return on their investment in an advanced degree (i.e. Masters, MBA).
- 70M+. The number of Baby Boomers (people in their 50s-60’s) in America who are ‘retirement-ready, but under-funded’ and thus will stay in the job market, holding back the entry of new grads to the workplace.
- 90%+. The number of young people today who plan to go to college because they feel they have to in order to get a job. Most DON’T know why they should go or what they should study!
- $100K+. The minimum you can plan to spend on a college education from top private or state university.
- Less than 30%. The number of students who actually work in a professional setting while they are in high school or college in order to gain professional skills they can use when they graduate.
- 25 years old. The average age before a college grad can finally afford to move out of their parent’s house and live on their own. (They are called Boomerang Kids and K.I.P.P.E.R.S – Kids In Parents Pockets Eating Retirement Savings.)
- 80%+. The percentage of jobs people get by networking. Most people don’t know A) how to create and leverage a network effectively, and B) feel uncomfortable doing it.
- Less than 20%. That’s how many 2009 college grads had jobs when they graduated last year.
- 6:1 ratio. There are 6 job seekers for every job out there right now.
- 18 months. The average time a young person spends in a job in America . The reality is EVERY job is temporary for young professionals.
- 9 careers with an average of 3 jobs in each one. That’s what today’s college grad can expect over the lifetime of their career. Can you imagine looking for a job 27 times!?
- 5 years. The amount of time it’s going to take for us to recoup the jobs we’ve lost from this recession. This does NOT include the additional number of jobs we need for all the college grads in that time.
- 10 years. That’s how long it’s going to take for us to fully recover from this recession:
Monday, February 1, 2010
Networking in a Shaky Economy
If you've read any of my blogs, you know that I put networking at the top of the list---not just for job hunting, but at all times throughout your career. Below is a short article reminding of how important it is during this tough job-hunting time.
Increase Your Networking Efforts During a Shaky Economy
If thinking about networking makes you reach for an antacid you are not alone. Even for social butterflies it can seem overwhelming. But painful or not, networking is the smart thing to do in a shaky economy.
Here are some networking tips to help you:
Start attending industry and business events. If you hate the thought of walking into a room of strangers, call the organizer and ask for a list of attendees. Usually they are happy to forward the RSVP list. Another approach is to simply arrive early and scan the name tags that are on the table. Invariably, you will see a few names of people you know.
Another advantage of arriving early is that you have an automatic icebreaker with the other early birds, "Looks like we're the first ones here." It also forces you into a small group that others will join as they arrive (rather than you having to break into their group).
If you arrive early, you can also strike up a conversation with the person behind the registration desk, who is often a good source of information about the organization, who's who, and who might be a good person for you to meet.
If group events make you feel like an awkward seventh grader at his first dance, bring someone with you. Ideally, choose someone who is outgoing (bonus points if he or she is well-connected). Another advantage of having a colleague along is that you get to sing the praises of each other to the people you meet-it's easier than talking about yourself. [I tell people that if you wanted to date a person that you see at a networking event, you'd find something to strike up a conversation about! In this case, it's just your job and livelihood :) ]
Then there is the good, old-fashioned lunch and breakfast. But don't wait to reach out to someone only when you need something. The best networkers know that you build your network before you need them. Get yourself in the habit of connecting with someone a few times a month. When you can help them out with some information, or make an introduction to someone who might be able to help them, they will value you as a member of their network and will be glad to reciprocate.
Join a social networking service such as LinkedIn or Facebook. You can stay in touch with people you've met in a non-scheduled, casual way. You can search the site for people you know or ask friends to introduce you to others in their network.
When you network with someone, take notes about what they are interested in, what information they are looking for and actions they have taken for you (such as making an introduction). Whether you track your contact activity in a database management system such as ACT, or just keep a notebook, the important thing is to be organized and have a system for follow up. When I was changing jobs years ago, I kept a spiral notebook with this information, so I could easily track who led me to whom. This way I could circle back and
thank them and give them updates on my networking progress. People who have taken the time to connect with you want to hear progress reports.as long as you are respectful of their time.
When you are networking don't make it all about you. Ask the other person questions that get them talking about themselves. People always enjoy being with someone who is a good listener. Ask questions such as "How did you get into your field?" "What interesting projects are you working on right now?" "What organizations do you belong to?" "What do you do for fun?" You can often learn important things about your colleagues that will create a more trusting bond between you.
If someone does do something for you be sure to follow up with a thank you. A simple voice or email message of appreciation will assure them that you understand the unspoken rules of networking. What goes around does indeed come around. Not only can networking be good for hearing about job opportunities, it can be a rich source of long-lasting friendships.
-Joan Lloyd
Joan Lloyd has a solid track record of excellent results. Her firm, Joan Lloyd & Associates, specializes in leadership development, organizational change and teambuilding. This includes executive coaching, 360-degree feedback processes, customized leadership training, conflict resolution between teams or individuals, internal consulting skills training for HR professionals and retreat facilitation. Clients report results such as: behavior change in leaders, improved team performance and a more committed workforce.
Joan Lloyd has earned her C.S.P. (certified speaking professional) designation from the National Speakers Association and speaks to corporate audiences, as well as trade & professional associations across the country. Reach her at (800) 348-1944, mailto:info@joanlloyd.com, or www.JoanLloyd.com
<http://www.joanlloyd.com/>
Increase Your Networking Efforts During a Shaky Economy
If thinking about networking makes you reach for an antacid you are not alone. Even for social butterflies it can seem overwhelming. But painful or not, networking is the smart thing to do in a shaky economy.
Here are some networking tips to help you:
Start attending industry and business events. If you hate the thought of walking into a room of strangers, call the organizer and ask for a list of attendees. Usually they are happy to forward the RSVP list. Another approach is to simply arrive early and scan the name tags that are on the table. Invariably, you will see a few names of people you know.
Another advantage of arriving early is that you have an automatic icebreaker with the other early birds, "Looks like we're the first ones here." It also forces you into a small group that others will join as they arrive (rather than you having to break into their group).
If you arrive early, you can also strike up a conversation with the person behind the registration desk, who is often a good source of information about the organization, who's who, and who might be a good person for you to meet.
If group events make you feel like an awkward seventh grader at his first dance, bring someone with you. Ideally, choose someone who is outgoing (bonus points if he or she is well-connected). Another advantage of having a colleague along is that you get to sing the praises of each other to the people you meet-it's easier than talking about yourself. [I tell people that if you wanted to date a person that you see at a networking event, you'd find something to strike up a conversation about! In this case, it's just your job and livelihood :) ]
Then there is the good, old-fashioned lunch and breakfast. But don't wait to reach out to someone only when you need something. The best networkers know that you build your network before you need them. Get yourself in the habit of connecting with someone a few times a month. When you can help them out with some information, or make an introduction to someone who might be able to help them, they will value you as a member of their network and will be glad to reciprocate.
Join a social networking service such as LinkedIn or Facebook. You can stay in touch with people you've met in a non-scheduled, casual way. You can search the site for people you know or ask friends to introduce you to others in their network.
When you network with someone, take notes about what they are interested in, what information they are looking for and actions they have taken for you (such as making an introduction). Whether you track your contact activity in a database management system such as ACT, or just keep a notebook, the important thing is to be organized and have a system for follow up. When I was changing jobs years ago, I kept a spiral notebook with this information, so I could easily track who led me to whom. This way I could circle back and
thank them and give them updates on my networking progress. People who have taken the time to connect with you want to hear progress reports.as long as you are respectful of their time.
When you are networking don't make it all about you. Ask the other person questions that get them talking about themselves. People always enjoy being with someone who is a good listener. Ask questions such as "How did you get into your field?" "What interesting projects are you working on right now?" "What organizations do you belong to?" "What do you do for fun?" You can often learn important things about your colleagues that will create a more trusting bond between you.
If someone does do something for you be sure to follow up with a thank you. A simple voice or email message of appreciation will assure them that you understand the unspoken rules of networking. What goes around does indeed come around. Not only can networking be good for hearing about job opportunities, it can be a rich source of long-lasting friendships.
-Joan Lloyd
Joan Lloyd has a solid track record of excellent results. Her firm, Joan Lloyd & Associates, specializes in leadership development, organizational change and teambuilding. This includes executive coaching, 360-degree feedback processes, customized leadership training, conflict resolution between teams or individuals, internal consulting skills training for HR professionals and retreat facilitation. Clients report results such as: behavior change in leaders, improved team performance and a more committed workforce.
Joan Lloyd has earned her C.S.P. (certified speaking professional) designation from the National Speakers Association and speaks to corporate audiences, as well as trade & professional associations across the country. Reach her at (800) 348-1944, mailto:info@joanlloyd.com, or www.JoanLloyd.com
<http://www.joanlloyd.com/>
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