A Part Time Or Temporary Job Could Be Your Key To Get In The Door

By Jan Mark | January 6, 2009

I was listening to my favorite business radio station this morning when I heard an economic report refer to the unemployment situation our country is currently facing. They kicked around some percentages and scenarios across the country and eventually focused on the overall problem with those numbers. The reporter mentioned how the numbers were skewed, particularly those that don’t take into account people who are working in part time or temporary jobs. Being in the employment field I wasn’t really shocked by this since it wasn’t anything I hadn’t heard before.  Besides statistical reporting usually finds a way to be misrepresented in one-way or another. Seems like there’s always some information missing. However the report did remind me of another great idea for job searchers to consider.

But first an important question; are you aware of what is really happening in this economically challenged job market? You see with money tight and businesses slowing down many companies have had to trim down their work forces to stay in business. In some cases they disguise their moves as early retirement opportunities, while others might refer to it as a chance to strengthen a weak department. So they lay off non-productive employee(s) or those who are last hired. The results of either can be devastating to those who are left behind. That’s because those employees are asked to do more work, often tasks not associated with their original responsibilities. Essentially doing more with less people. The organization cuts operating costs, adds more profit to the bottom line and helps to insure the success of the organization. This is a good thing of course since it saves many more jobs than have been lost. Read More »

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Companies Hire All Year Round

By Jan Mark | December 31, 2008

Very shortly the hard work and perseverance you’ve been showing towards your job search, prior to and during the holidays, is going to pay off. Believe me, as a former corporate recruiter, I know what it feels like to get back to the office on January 2 and realize that there are some very crucial jobs to fill. Those department managers come back from the holidays like bears, anxiously eager to get the ball rolling again, often acting as though they were the only ones on holiday. So they’ll be a lot of activity and follow up going on in those HR departments next week. And that means if you’ve done your homework I believe many of you will be getting the phone calls you’ve been waiting for.

Now, if you are new to the job market and really haven’t done much to this point and are just getting things together, I would suggest that you begin an aggressive approach immediately. Don’t wait until you think things are back to normal. For as long as I can remember this time of the year has always had the reputation of being a slow time. Given the holiday cheer, vacations and just the end of the year mentality, these holiday weeks have always made businesses appear as though they have put their employment needs on hold. During my headhunting years I had many productive Christmas and New Year weeks. As a result of studying these companies I’m here to tell you that hiring is a process that continues all year round.  So it’s important that you not hold back now. This is the time to strike. And if I haven’t convinced you then consider that if everyone else does slacks off during this time then this is, in fact, your opportunity to take advantage. By continuing the search, making contacts and getting your resume out, you will be increasing your chances of being noticed. In other words, your perseverance can pay off. Continue to plant the seeds.

There are many ways to search for a job and in 2009 I will be providing more new and creative ways to deal with this ever-changing job market. My goal continues to be to help you cope with these changes. And you must know that, with our uncertain economy, the need for specialization, and the overwhelming competition, the job market has forever been altered. As a result both the way you approach your career and the plan you create to navigate its’ success must keep pace with these changes. For that reason you need to be flexible with the path you choose, bold in the approach you take and show confidence in what you offer.

So here’s a new years resolution; get busy and make things happen!  The holidays are over and it’s time to get back to the job at hand. The opportunities are there just remember that you have to find them. Happy New Year to you all and I wish you a healthy and successful 2009.

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My Holiday Wish

By Jan Mark | December 22, 2008

Each year during this festive time of holiday and good cheer I’m always reminded that there are those who aren’t having such a good time due to issues involving their employment. If you are one of the many who have been laid off, worry about losing your job, or perhaps are a recent graduate unable to find your first job, I want you to know that I empathize with you. I too have been there many times. So my holiday wish for you is that you make sure to hold on to the faith you have in yourself. If you believe in your abilities then there will always be hope for you in anything you strive to do. It’s a simple concept but one that we tend to forget at times like these. When our backs are to the wall, the way unemployment makes us feel, we seem to forget what we have to offer and what we need to do to get what we want.  

I also wanted to stress the two most important things you must do. First is the role you play in orchestrating this process. All of the ideas, methods and motivation that I write about are truly a part of the solution, but only if you put them into action. Holiday or not you have to work hard at the process or it just won’t happen. Second, I encourage you to be aware of everything going on around you, specifically regarding the economy and the job market.  These are important pieces of information that will keep you fully informed and competent while working on your job search. Keeping up with this information won’t assure you of getting hired, but it will help you to understand and cope with the obstacles you face.

Remember, for some it may take longer than others and might even necessitate you taking a job you hadn’t planned on. I have a client, a college graduate, who started as an administrative assistant in an advertising company and eventually worked her way up to an account manger. Sometimes to get what you want you have to take a different path than you planned on. Often a slightly lower level position can be the foot in the door you need to help you get you what you want. In these times opportunity takes on many different looks, don’t be fooled by its disguises.

I write the CareerGrapevine blog because I am a sincere, upbeat person who sees the positive in just about everything. I write about what I experience in my career, coach from my expertise and most importantly have passion for it all. My advice is not to let the holidays, the slow job market or even a dismal economic future quell your excitement for the future you seek. These are truly difficult times, however, I fully believe that they will present us with opportunities that we haven’t seen in generations. Talk about seeing the good in a bad situation…

Happy holidays and best wishes for a successful new year.

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What Career Is For Me? Three Easy Steps To Find Out.

By Jan Mark | December 17, 2008

Have you ever taken one of those tests in high school, you know the one that the teacher says isn’t going to be graded and is just a way to help determine what your career options might be? It’s usually given around sophomore or junior year when your guidance counselors are trying to help you decide about your college career and beyond.

Well I’m not going to bash or criticize these tests, at least not too much. The fact is that they can be a good incentive for some, dead on for others, while absolutely ridiculous for most. Actually I’ve never really met anyone who has had a successful result from these kinds of tests. In fact my belief is that they really don’t work at all. My own son found his results to be so off in contrast to his chosen career path that he simply tore them up once he got home.

I’m somewhat reluctant to criticize these kinds of tests but, I have to be honest based on more than 30 years in this field, I just don’t like them and the results they report. And the funny thing is more and more of these tests appear with improved information and methods as those who create them try to figure out more ways to predict this part of an individual’s destiny. I stand firm on the fact that this method cannot measure anything but an individual’s academic proclivity to a particular area of subject matter. A strong math skill doesn’t necessarily mean a strong math related career.

So what’s the answer? Well for now I wish to share with you my own proven system for assisting you with making some career choices. It’s a simple system and one that is a result of more than 15 years of actual use. You see I believe that everyone has a direction, an interest, even a passion for some kind of work in their lives. I just believe that for most of us it’s buried inside of them waiting to come out. As a result I created a simple program that, through a process of questions and discussions, have encouraged my clients to unlock what I call their “inner career.”  It’s a 3-step process called Innate Discovery (ID): Read More »

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Job Search Right Through The Holidays? Absolutely!

By Jan Mark | December 16, 2008

What a lousy time to graduate college. Of course I’m talking about a lousy time of the year. After all with less than 10 days until Christmas who’s really going to hire you now, let alone interview you. Right?

Wrong! Actually this is a good time to get in the game. Keep those resumes going, make those phone calls and make sure you do everything you can right through the holidays. You can’t let that fire go out. And believe me the companies don’t stop hiring or interviewing even at this time of the year. Yes it’s very competitive and yes it’s hard to get activity but no it’s not because business shuts down or even slows this time of the year. It’s more because of the economy and a slow down in job availability. And that won’t change even after the holiday. Not this time around. In fact things will stay pretty much the way they have been until the economy picks up. But even so companies will still need good people.   So what should you be doing?

Here are a few ideas to keep that fire burning.

1. Do your homework. Research industries and find the companies you belong in.  Looking for a job goes way beyond just searching for job openings.

2. This is a great time to network. Talk to people who know people. Get involved in organizations and events especially now when many holiday activities are taking place. Great things happen when you mix with people and they get to know you. Doing volunteer work during this time is not only  rewarding but advantageous to your cause.

3. Be sure and follow up every contact you write to.  Keep in mind that not everyone will respond to you and that your follow up may trigger activity. With this type of persistence you’ll just never know what can happen.

All in all it’s really important for you to remain patient while being very persistent in your approach. Hard times necessitate even more creative and dedicated activities and a no quit attitude. Just remember everyone gets a job.

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A Career Coach Can Put You On A Career Path

By Jan Mark | December 14, 2008

I just returned from my daughter’s college graduation, a smaller mid December version of the big finale in May, and couldn’t wait to write about this experience. Along with the proud feeling we have today I’m also feeling very lucky that she’s among that small group of young people who have a direction and have pursued it to this level. She is an education major and will be pursuing a job in teaching. Of course I feel strong that she will land a good position it will just take some time.

Meanwhile I had a very interesting revelation during the program that I thought I’d mention here tonight.  Prior to the beginning of the graduation ceremony I was reading the program which listed both the schedule of the events as well as the entire list of graduates (400) along with their degrees and majors.  Soon the procession of students and faculty began and as I struggled to locate my daughter I began to focus on the faces of these  hundreds of anxious yet frightened students. I say frightened because, like all of us, eventually the safety of the college experience turns to the reality of the real work world. All of a sudden the feel of communal living with it’s meals and a bed, late nights and card games gives way to the stress of the job and reporting to a boss.  I couldn’t help feeling sad for them because I knew what they were leaving and the idea of the unknown can be a frightening thought. More importantly, though, I knew what they were about to begin. Even so, I still thought about the job market and what they were entering into. That’s when I whispered to my wife that they actually represented the newly unemployed. What a revelation and a depressing way to look at it, don’t you think? Read More »

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Serious About College? Read This First!

By Jan Mark | December 9, 2008

(Wouldn't this be nice?)

The process of College search and decision making is about to affect you in ways you had no idea of until now. Yes, you may have older siblings, family or friends that will be providing you with what you might perceive as a head start however I believe that what I will tell you here is not what you will hear from them. I have worked with both high school and college students for years and as a result have had the opportunity to get the inside story.

I will assume at this time that you have already decided that college is next on the list of priorities in your life (if you haven’t made this decision as yet, please stay tuned I will be addressing that topic in blogs to come).  So for now let’s go forward and talk about CHOOSING A COLLEGE.

First an overview of the many types of colleges that are available to you:

Private Colleges and Universities- Schools in which you need to apply and are accepted to and are usually costly to attend. Many try to promote their reputations as having some effect on your worth in the job market and the advantages you’ll reap as a result. While some actually can prove that as fact, there are the others that fall into the category of well run learning establishments that leave it up to the individual to make their own mark in the world.

State Schools- They provide excellent educational programs at a more reasonable cost for those who live in the state. You may have also heard about Community Colleges offering a two year degree program that acts as a warm up for some some students who want to move on to a four year school after this experience.

Proprietary For Profit Schools- These are schools that usually accept you without the regular competitive road blocks of private schools like SAT scores, class standings, grade point averages and elaborate application and interview processes. As a result the proprietary school fills a niche market providing a choice for those who perhaps would not be able to get into a private college or university. Mind you that doesn’t necessarily mean less expensive nor a sacrifice on educational quality. No, in fact it’s been my experience that the quality of education provided by its faculty is as good as most of the other types of colleges, if not better.

Vocational Schools- A source of educational training that I believe our nation has been built on. Training people for a trade is as important as the schools that turn out our Doctors and Lawyers. Plumbers, electricians, truckers and the like are important contributors to our society and our way of life. These schools train in many of these skill sets, come in all sizes, exist in all locations and vary in costs depending on their specializations and locations. Read More »

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Fridays Are For Stirring Up Activity

By Jan Mark | December 5, 2008

It seems as though I have special meanings for every day of the week when it comes to job search. Like I’ve mentioned before, Sunday is important for information gathering, Monday is key to getting the ball rolling and believe it or not the other days have a special purpose as well.

That brings me to Fridays, my most favorite day of the week. In fact as I look at my clock I see it’s 5 pm and there are happy hours going on everywhere.  Remember I did say looking for work is a full time job and even the unemployed deserve a break from a tough week.  But before we celebrate, let’s talk about the activity that can be particularly effective late in the day on Fridays. I’m referring to follow up. I get lots of calls and emails asking me what to do when the company hasn’t called back when they said they would. Has this happened to you? If it has it’s because it’s very common and is usually a result of a company representative speaking too soon or saying too much. There are way too many variables involved in the actual hiring process and the fact is that nobody should promise you anything. However, just the fact that they have creates an opening for you in which follow up is acceptable.  Read More »

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Job Search: Seems Too Technical Or Is It Just Me?

By Jan Mark | December 4, 2008

In my world this job search thing is an everyday affair. So I don’t know why it hit me today but all of a sudden I felt the need to ask myself, ” with all of the sources and information available to us today how does the average person put it all into perspective.” I mean it’s absolutely overwhelming, wouldn’t you agree? Consider the many sites and services available from Monster to LinkedIn, resume writing, career coaches, on line schools and on and on. In fact it seems like every site you see claims to do it all. For me it’s easy I know what to do, how and when to do it but with all of this stuff out there how does that help you?

So I got to thinking more, which can get you into a lot of trouble, and I came up with a thought.  Somehow we have to help you sort this all out. You know, give it some meaning that will make it easier to use and more effective when you do. But I quickly realized it can’t be done, it’s too big already and getting bigger by the moment. Look for instance how Internet sites are listed on search engines. When you Google something and your results come up, well the ones you see on the first page are special, correct? They are there because they have the money to make sure you see them everywhere until, literally stuck in your face, you surrender to them. Next thing you know you are listing your resume and searching for jobs on their site because it’s what everyone else is doing. And that’s not a good thing because sites like Monster, CareerBuilder and HotJobs are promoting what I call “reactive job search.” You are lulled into thinking that you can literally sit back and wait for the calls. Not true and not a good message! Read More »

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Time to Step Up Your Job Search

By Jan Mark | December 3, 2008

Heads up JOB SEEKERS, I’m coming to you tonight with 3 very important steps that you must make part of your daily ritual in order to be sure you will get the results that lead to interviews. If you aren’t doing these things I want you to write to me and tell me why. There are no excuses! Looking for a job is hard work and it isn’t going to happen by itself. So if you are not getting activity and aren’t currently using these 3 steps, then shortly you will know what you have to do to step it up.

Remember this advice assumes that you have a direction, know your market and how your skills fit in. Read More »

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