Since today is February 29, I decided to come up with some ideas to help job seekers leap ahead in their quests for success. What follows are some suggestions, in no particular order, which some of you might already employ. Feel free to share other methods which you have found helpful as this list is extremely open ended!
~Networking is key to getting your name out to as many people as possible. Find one new networking group, professional association, job seeker support group, etc. and attend a meeting or workshop this month.
~Staying with the networking theme, contact at least 3 or 4 people you know from any walk of life and schedule a 30 minute meeting with them to discuss your job search, their impressions of you, how they have been successful and so on. You will be amazed at the knowledge you could gain!
~Make a diary of an entire week's job search activities and see if you are spending at least 3-4 hours per day. Also determine whether or not you are mixing up your week or doing exactly the same thing each day. Keys to success include dedicating enough time and also varying what you do to avoid becoming complacent.
~Dig up your notes for the past 3+ months and go back and contact every company you have applied to in the past, or at least check their websites, to see if something new has developed which you could qualify for.
~Finally, try something new and different to add some new energy to your process. I admit I am an old dog at times but did learn a new trick from my daughter recently. Check out Pinterest through Facebook. I am not an expert yet but there are some great pieces of information for job hunting on this site!
That is probably enough to keep you busy for a while! As I said earlier, feel free to share other ideas if you wish. I will do my best to have a new list ready to go by next February 29!!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Think First!
2012 is proving to be a continuation of 2009,10, and 11 with job prospects very hard to come by. Not one Presidential candidate seems to have a clue how to fix this mess and please do not sit around waiting for Congress to be our Messiah! You need to fend for yourself and put your best foot forward when tackling the job market.
Submitting your resume for a job posting then calling the poster less than five minutes later to ask if they have interest is a gigantic mistake. Although it might appear like you are being ambitious, usually it does not give the recruiter enough time to download and read your resume and, putting it bluntly, is quite annoying! My rule of thumb is to wait twenty four hours before following up on resume submissions to permit the company proper time to review it and perhaps distribute to other managers for their input.
Another suggestion I have made countless times is to make sure you have skill sets listed on your resume that are somewhat related to the job you are applying for. A few days back, I ran a listing for a Mechanical Engineer with machine design knowledge. Among the responses was a resume from an Auto Mechanic, an Interior Decorator, and someone with a degree in Finance and no related experience at all. Recruiters have a tendency to move from place to place and we do remember candidates who stood out to us for all the wrong reasons. Please think first then send your resumes out!
Submitting your resume for a job posting then calling the poster less than five minutes later to ask if they have interest is a gigantic mistake. Although it might appear like you are being ambitious, usually it does not give the recruiter enough time to download and read your resume and, putting it bluntly, is quite annoying! My rule of thumb is to wait twenty four hours before following up on resume submissions to permit the company proper time to review it and perhaps distribute to other managers for their input.
Another suggestion I have made countless times is to make sure you have skill sets listed on your resume that are somewhat related to the job you are applying for. A few days back, I ran a listing for a Mechanical Engineer with machine design knowledge. Among the responses was a resume from an Auto Mechanic, an Interior Decorator, and someone with a degree in Finance and no related experience at all. Recruiters have a tendency to move from place to place and we do remember candidates who stood out to us for all the wrong reasons. Please think first then send your resumes out!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Mechanical Engineering Opportunities
A longtime client in Essex County NJ needs to add two Mechanical Engineers to their team. They are an OEM specializing in customized industrial machinery. Keys are proficiency with AutoCAD 14 and 2002, knowledge of Lean methods, creativity, willingness to roll up sleeves and get the job done with very little assistance. One position is geared toward someone with 3-5 years experience looking to grow and contribute to growth while the other is for a more senior person who will eventually manage the engineering area. Please resumes or referral to harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold Levin at 908-508-0300, ext. 205.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
What Goes Around....
Do you ever have one of those days where you can not stay focused on one topic very long and sit staring at your laptop while accomplishing absolutely nothing? Today is turning into one of those times for me and I am not sure why this has happened.
Perhaps the root cause is actually a variety of events I observed within the past week. I must admit I was somewhat entertained on an airplane this week when a couple refused to properly secure their pet dog leading to a fracas with flight crew members, other passengers, and eventually NY/NJ Port Authority police officers who patiently removed them (including the pooch) from the plane. Or maybe it was the inconsiderate driver in a South Florida parking lot who rammed his horn when a fellow senior citizen exercised caution before proceeding through a stop sign. There is a chance I was sent into shock by a client who lowered the bill rate on a job they periodically post by over 20% while expecting the same level of candidates as in past years!
Actually, I think the cause of my lethargy just jumped to the forefront while typing this blog entry! I spent the past several days gaining the interest of a new client company and encouraged them to meet two very sharp candidates. When I phoned one of them to make sure he was ready for the interview, he told me he accepted another job earlier that day and did not realize he should contact me to cancel the meeting!
The moral of this story is that your actions will most likely impact others. Please remember the old very ancient adage, what goes around comes around, when charting your path each and every day!
Perhaps the root cause is actually a variety of events I observed within the past week. I must admit I was somewhat entertained on an airplane this week when a couple refused to properly secure their pet dog leading to a fracas with flight crew members, other passengers, and eventually NY/NJ Port Authority police officers who patiently removed them (including the pooch) from the plane. Or maybe it was the inconsiderate driver in a South Florida parking lot who rammed his horn when a fellow senior citizen exercised caution before proceeding through a stop sign. There is a chance I was sent into shock by a client who lowered the bill rate on a job they periodically post by over 20% while expecting the same level of candidates as in past years!
Actually, I think the cause of my lethargy just jumped to the forefront while typing this blog entry! I spent the past several days gaining the interest of a new client company and encouraged them to meet two very sharp candidates. When I phoned one of them to make sure he was ready for the interview, he told me he accepted another job earlier that day and did not realize he should contact me to cancel the meeting!
The moral of this story is that your actions will most likely impact others. Please remember the old very ancient adage, what goes around comes around, when charting your path each and every day!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Resolving Israel's Labor Strike
Read how Israel returned to normal after its first major labor strike in over five years:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/13/world/middleeast/strike-over-contract-jobs-is-settled-in-israel.html?_r=1&scp=6&sq=jobs&st=cse
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/13/world/middleeast/strike-over-contract-jobs-is-settled-in-israel.html?_r=1&scp=6&sq=jobs&st=cse
Digital Media Assistant Needed!
A terrific client in Bergen County, NJ has asked me to find someone with a recent degree in Digital Media, Publishing, Journalism, Broadcasting, etc. to assist the department head in routine support functions but with the ability to work on interactive applications as needed. Position is for 4-6 months and is perfect for someone with a degree and internship experience looking for a start! Please send resumes to harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold Levin at 908-508-0300, ext. 205.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Boston Opportunity for a Technical Writer!
5-8 years exp. needed creating documentation for user manuals, online support, and training. Prior use of Visio and Flare desired. Resumes to harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold Levin at 908-508-0300, ext. 205. Position is downtown Boston, 4-6 months in duration.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Odds and Ends
Now and then, I find the need to clear my head of a variety of loose ends. Today happens to be one of those days when my brain is begging for an extremely premature spring cleaning!
Many of you have taken to listing names and contact information for your references right on your resumes. Wouldn't be better for you to know in advance who might contact one of your references so you could alert them in advance.
Jobs appear to be a bit more plentiful than a year ago but keep in mind that any job is better paying than not having one and makes your resume more attractive as well!
There is no need to badger your favorite staffing firm 5-10 times per week. Checking in once per week is sufficient.
No one can hire you if you do not make yourself down to potential employers so make sure to promote yourself.
Many of you have taken to listing names and contact information for your references right on your resumes. Wouldn't be better for you to know in advance who might contact one of your references so you could alert them in advance.
Jobs appear to be a bit more plentiful than a year ago but keep in mind that any job is better paying than not having one and makes your resume more attractive as well!
There is no need to badger your favorite staffing firm 5-10 times per week. Checking in once per week is sufficient.
No one can hire you if you do not make yourself down to potential employers so make sure to promote yourself.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Help Desk Opportunity
Fast paced, reliable technician needed to solve wide range of issues in-house and remote. Must be up to date on latest mobile devices, all older and recently released Windows packages, servers such as Citrix and Exchange among others, IP protocols, etc. Send resumes to harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold at 908-508-0300, ext. 205. A minimum of 2-3 years related work exp., valid drivers license and working vehicle needed. Morris County NJ opportunity.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Temporary Insanity
No, the title of this entry is not a statement of my mental health (though some might say otherwise)! One could argue that it would describe the state of mind of Giants fans one day after winning the Super Bowl. My thoughts had turned to baseball weeks ago so this is not about the over hyped, actually quite boring, media circus we just endured.
My purpose today is to share my take on 'temporary insanity' which is when people who are lucky enough to find contract employment really screw things up. Having been around the staffing industry for parts of 4 decades, rest assured I have seen a lot but the book never closes! What follows, in no particular order, could best be described as some of the biggest bloopers committed by temps on assignments:
A young lady hired to help a growing medical practice with their patient flow decided to lift up her scrubs to reveal the bruises she proudly received from her boyfriend over the weekend!
While standing in line to clock out at an industrial facility, a temp decided the person in front of him was rude and jabbed at him provoking a major scuffle.
Someone on assignment less than a month decided to write an email to a manager several levels above the immediate supervisor pointing out all the mistakes being made by the team.
A temp was unhappy because the computer system went down one day. Even though, everyone was told to sit tight in case things got fixed, this contractor decided to clock out and go home 5 hours early!
Another temp decided to blast the place nice enough to offer work because they did not offer whole milk with the FREE coffee available in the break room!
Suffice it to say, breaking into a vending machine to obtain free food is not a great way to extend a short term contract assignment!
And finally, attending your first team meeting as a temporary, at will, employee is not the time to tell the Vice President who authorized your hiring that the whole company is non-compliant with federal regulations especially when that is not part of your job description!
Have a great week! baseball season is almost here!
My purpose today is to share my take on 'temporary insanity' which is when people who are lucky enough to find contract employment really screw things up. Having been around the staffing industry for parts of 4 decades, rest assured I have seen a lot but the book never closes! What follows, in no particular order, could best be described as some of the biggest bloopers committed by temps on assignments:
A young lady hired to help a growing medical practice with their patient flow decided to lift up her scrubs to reveal the bruises she proudly received from her boyfriend over the weekend!
While standing in line to clock out at an industrial facility, a temp decided the person in front of him was rude and jabbed at him provoking a major scuffle.
Someone on assignment less than a month decided to write an email to a manager several levels above the immediate supervisor pointing out all the mistakes being made by the team.
A temp was unhappy because the computer system went down one day. Even though, everyone was told to sit tight in case things got fixed, this contractor decided to clock out and go home 5 hours early!
Another temp decided to blast the place nice enough to offer work because they did not offer whole milk with the FREE coffee available in the break room!
Suffice it to say, breaking into a vending machine to obtain free food is not a great way to extend a short term contract assignment!
And finally, attending your first team meeting as a temporary, at will, employee is not the time to tell the Vice President who authorized your hiring that the whole company is non-compliant with federal regulations especially when that is not part of your job description!
Have a great week! baseball season is almost here!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Great Opportunity for a Purchasing Manager!
Permanent opportunity for a professional with 8-10 years purchasing of consumer electronics and related goods in a high volume environment and at least 4-6 of those years must be in managing a purchasing department within that industry. Must be able to manage the people and systems needed for the full life cycle procurement process. Candidates must be technically up-to-date with excellent communication and negotiation skills. Prior experience managing the purchasing process in unrelated fields will not be considered at this time. Position is located in the Parsippany NJ area. Please send resumes to harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold Levin 908-508-0300, ext. 205.
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