While I am a big football fan, I have to question the management and ownership of the New York (or should I say Florham Park / East Rutherford?) Jets for their recent spending spree. Even non-fans likely have heard about the trade that brought Tim Tebow, the quarterback with just a handful of starts in the NFL, to the Jets last weekend.
Not only did the Jets miss the fact that he was owed a $5 million bonus which they ultimately split with the Denver Broncos as part of their trade agreement, they ended up giving $500,000 to Drew Stanton to get rid of him. Stanton is a seldom used third string QB who signed with the Jets about 2 weeks ago then asked to be traded when Tebow was acquired. When the Jets signed Stanton (who did not play in a single game last season at Detroit), they agreed to a $650,000 one year salary plus the signing bonus. In order to trade him, they ate the bonus. So, in addition to Tebow's salary, they just paid out $3 million in bonus dollars!
I wonder what the hundreds of people who have been laid off in recent years by Johnson and Johnson have to say to Woody Johnson, owner of the Jets. Hopefully, everyone who has been impacted by J+J's cutbacks will not spend any of their precious money on Jets tickets, products, etc. The only way to send a message to professional sports owners about their spending habits is stop giving them additional funds from our pockets.
This might sound harsh because it is meant to come across that way. With scores of people struggling to pay mortgages, procure health insurance and educate their children on reduced wages, I cannot condone the spending going on in professional sports today.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Positively Passionate
One of my favorite things about working in recruiting and coaching is that I learn something new just about every day. A longtime client taught me to look beyond the raw skills and experience in a candidate and focus on their passion, their desire to do well and their love of their chosen field. He also validated something I always knew but cannot hurt to have reinforced, interviews need to remain positive at all times.
Let's start with passion. Three candidates interviewed with this hiring manager for an engineering position. All were reasonably similar in their educational background, types of companies they had previously worked for, years of related experience, certifications and software packages, etc. Salary expectations were about the same as well. Two of them were very efficient and competent on their interviews and highly professional. The third was all of the above but shared success stories from their past as well as how much they love their work and how they are constantly researching ways to improve how they perform on the job. At the end of the interview, this person was the only one who asked for the job and ultimately did get hired.
Positive interviews are very critical to getting a new job. No one wants to hear that you despised your prior manager, hated your co-workers, disliked the old fashioned furniture in your office, felt your company did not spend enough money on computer upgrades,etc. What they prefer to hear is what you accomplished at the old job, how you coped with the limitations thrown your direction, and how you made the best of what you had to work for. Even when times were better and their was a shortage of available candidates, employers hesitated to hire people who came across in a negative way.
Everything I have written today might seem obvious to you but I assure you hiring managers will scrutinize you closely. Remain 'Positively Passionate' at all times and you will improve your chances exponentially. Good luck!
Let's start with passion. Three candidates interviewed with this hiring manager for an engineering position. All were reasonably similar in their educational background, types of companies they had previously worked for, years of related experience, certifications and software packages, etc. Salary expectations were about the same as well. Two of them were very efficient and competent on their interviews and highly professional. The third was all of the above but shared success stories from their past as well as how much they love their work and how they are constantly researching ways to improve how they perform on the job. At the end of the interview, this person was the only one who asked for the job and ultimately did get hired.
Positive interviews are very critical to getting a new job. No one wants to hear that you despised your prior manager, hated your co-workers, disliked the old fashioned furniture in your office, felt your company did not spend enough money on computer upgrades,etc. What they prefer to hear is what you accomplished at the old job, how you coped with the limitations thrown your direction, and how you made the best of what you had to work for. Even when times were better and their was a shortage of available candidates, employers hesitated to hire people who came across in a negative way.
Everything I have written today might seem obvious to you but I assure you hiring managers will scrutinize you closely. Remain 'Positively Passionate' at all times and you will improve your chances exponentially. Good luck!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Negative Reaction!
As mentioned many times in the past, I entered the placement and staffing industry way back in the 1980's. No matter how busy or slow times have been, each day promises to be just a bit different than the one before it in this business. Yesterday was no exception to this rule and certainly was not among my top ten.
One of my clients informed me that they decided not tho hire my candidate whom they had interviewed multiple times simply because, while they liked this person a lot, they felt that the person's prior work experience might not have been sufficient to meet the demands of the job that needs to be filled. I tried phoning the person to no avail so left an email gently breaking the news and offering to chat by phone to better explain the decision. In closing, I also wished the candidate all the best as they continue to pursue new jobs. This candidate happens to be employed but is looking to re-enter a field they were laid off from not too long ago.
The email I received back told me to call the potential employer to thank them for wasting the candidate's time and went on to end with a message to me that basically said thanks for nothing. Number one, the client company invested a lot of time in the hiring process and they were extremely diligent and thoughtful as they went through their paces. Second, no recruiter will ever intentionally waste a candidate's time as we get paid for placing people and their is no commission earned for spinning somebody's wheels. Even more important to the candidate, I will not consider calling if I ever get a similar job lead again.
Please remember that most people recall good and bad experiences they have had with people. You never want to end up on the bad list as it might just come back to get you when you least expect it!
One of my clients informed me that they decided not tho hire my candidate whom they had interviewed multiple times simply because, while they liked this person a lot, they felt that the person's prior work experience might not have been sufficient to meet the demands of the job that needs to be filled. I tried phoning the person to no avail so left an email gently breaking the news and offering to chat by phone to better explain the decision. In closing, I also wished the candidate all the best as they continue to pursue new jobs. This candidate happens to be employed but is looking to re-enter a field they were laid off from not too long ago.
The email I received back told me to call the potential employer to thank them for wasting the candidate's time and went on to end with a message to me that basically said thanks for nothing. Number one, the client company invested a lot of time in the hiring process and they were extremely diligent and thoughtful as they went through their paces. Second, no recruiter will ever intentionally waste a candidate's time as we get paid for placing people and their is no commission earned for spinning somebody's wheels. Even more important to the candidate, I will not consider calling if I ever get a similar job lead again.
Please remember that most people recall good and bad experiences they have had with people. You never want to end up on the bad list as it might just come back to get you when you least expect it!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Financial Data Support needed in Paramus NJ
Excellent temp opportunity requires 2+ yrs experience organizing, managing, and inputting contracts into Excel spreadsheets. Must have excellent Excel capabilities. Royalties knowledge a plus. Resumes to harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold Levin at 908-508-0300, ext. 205.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Rise To The Top Of The List!
Over 30 years ago, I graduated from college with a Liberal Arts background at a time when the economy was just a little bit less flat than it is today. Jobs were not especially plentiful unless you happened to have an engineering background. No matter how hard my dad tried to aim me in that direction, it was not destined to happen.
With no other immediate options, I chose from among the entry level retail management and insurance sales jobs offered and went to work for what would now be termed a big box retailer as a management trainee. After three years of toiling in obscure, older stores I was 'promoted' to a team opening a brand new store in southern NJ. One of my tasks was to help fill approximately 125 jobs. An ad was placed in the local news paper which netted over 700 applicants over a 2 day span! I was one of three people screening all these candidates and I assure you it was challenging just to keep straight who was who.
Most of the candidates seemed to have been clones with little or no documented work experience, terrible communication skills, poor attitudes, and an arrogance that said 'give me a job because I am entitled to it.' There were a handful who caught my attention. Those that I selected fit into a few categories: took the time to dress neatly; used decent eye contact; managed to listen to my name when I introduced myself and repeated it back to me during the interview; filled out all the information on the job application; actually asked for the job at the end of the interview.
As you can tell, none of this is brain surgery. What made them stand out is that the others did none of the above! In this very tough era for job seeking, remembering to do the simple things will help you rise to the top of the list!
With no other immediate options, I chose from among the entry level retail management and insurance sales jobs offered and went to work for what would now be termed a big box retailer as a management trainee. After three years of toiling in obscure, older stores I was 'promoted' to a team opening a brand new store in southern NJ. One of my tasks was to help fill approximately 125 jobs. An ad was placed in the local news paper which netted over 700 applicants over a 2 day span! I was one of three people screening all these candidates and I assure you it was challenging just to keep straight who was who.
Most of the candidates seemed to have been clones with little or no documented work experience, terrible communication skills, poor attitudes, and an arrogance that said 'give me a job because I am entitled to it.' There were a handful who caught my attention. Those that I selected fit into a few categories: took the time to dress neatly; used decent eye contact; managed to listen to my name when I introduced myself and repeated it back to me during the interview; filled out all the information on the job application; actually asked for the job at the end of the interview.
As you can tell, none of this is brain surgery. What made them stand out is that the others did none of the above! In this very tough era for job seeking, remembering to do the simple things will help you rise to the top of the list!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Software Engineer Needed
A very good client has a need for a contract Software Engineer with HP-UX, HTML5, Adobe Creative Suite 3 and Content Management Systems (CMS) experience. Position could be based in Northern NJ, NYC, Boston, Chicago, or Arizona. Send resumes to harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold Levin at 908.508.0300, ext. 205.
Linsanity Everywhere!
Jeremy Lin, the former Harvard University basketball star turned instant phenom on the New York Knicks NBA team, has created quite a buzz in recent weeks. My interest in the NBA is minimal at best but I have been impressed with the instant marketing success this young man became almost overnight. As a sports fan, I realize that he could be a one hit wonder and fade into the woodwork quickly. That is not what is important to me right now.
My takeaway from this Linsanity madness is how a very unknown star from a school not usually known for its athletic successes turned into an overnight sensation and how this could be applied to candidates trying to add a little spark to their job search strategies. All too frequently, a candidate will contact me at my agency and tell me they have been out of work so long (time ranges from a month to a few years) that they are desperate and will work for minimum wage in an attempt to get back to their chosen field where they used to make much more ($40-100K+/-) and they practically beg for their resume to be sent out even if the job is a complete mismatch. As a career coach, people will ask to meet with me and lament that they have become complete failures since they sent out perhaps ten resumes in the last six months and no one called them for interviews.
Candidates need to sound less like the New York Mets organization (sorry Mets fans!) and more like Jeremey Lin and the Knicks! A good friend has been out of work for a few months and has sent out countless resumes and had some substantial interviews but not landed a job just yet. Whenever I ask how he is doing he responds that he is doing Great and never complains! Perception is 90% of the issue when job hunting. Before you all start telling me it is impossible to remain positive in such bleak times, I am here to tell you that it is essential to do so! If you cannot keep the energy level high (and I do understand how hard that is to do) then you need to get some help. Join a few networking groups, get out among people, find a career coach, talk with a clergy person, network with your friends and neighbors, do something to get the positive juices flowing through your body. I cannot promise instant success but I assure you it will go a long way toward getting you back on track!
My takeaway from this Linsanity madness is how a very unknown star from a school not usually known for its athletic successes turned into an overnight sensation and how this could be applied to candidates trying to add a little spark to their job search strategies. All too frequently, a candidate will contact me at my agency and tell me they have been out of work so long (time ranges from a month to a few years) that they are desperate and will work for minimum wage in an attempt to get back to their chosen field where they used to make much more ($40-100K+/-) and they practically beg for their resume to be sent out even if the job is a complete mismatch. As a career coach, people will ask to meet with me and lament that they have become complete failures since they sent out perhaps ten resumes in the last six months and no one called them for interviews.
Candidates need to sound less like the New York Mets organization (sorry Mets fans!) and more like Jeremey Lin and the Knicks! A good friend has been out of work for a few months and has sent out countless resumes and had some substantial interviews but not landed a job just yet. Whenever I ask how he is doing he responds that he is doing Great and never complains! Perception is 90% of the issue when job hunting. Before you all start telling me it is impossible to remain positive in such bleak times, I am here to tell you that it is essential to do so! If you cannot keep the energy level high (and I do understand how hard that is to do) then you need to get some help. Join a few networking groups, get out among people, find a career coach, talk with a clergy person, network with your friends and neighbors, do something to get the positive juices flowing through your body. I cannot promise instant success but I assure you it will go a long way toward getting you back on track!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
It's Your Decision
Employers constantly ask me why it is so difficult to find qualified individuals willing to interview for open job opportunities. One very long time client said something to me recently which has gotten under my skin. He mused that perhaps people have become comfortable or complacent while unable to find a job in their field the last few years and are plain old giving up. We chatted a bit further and he almost convinced me that many among us are discovering how to make do with less and are no longer looking for career jobs, rather they are taking something at a lower earning level without a lot of required skills to pay the very basic bills and not stress out as much as in the past.
Since this discussion, I have pondered this quite extensively. Search engines used to be loaded with highly skilled professionals who were updating their resumes every few months to stay near the top of the list of available candidates. Now, when running an online search, it is quite normal to notice that 75% of the resumes have not been updated in at least 18 months. The first reaction is maybe they found new jobs. Upon calling, I have learned that a lot of people never found something in their field, are doing totally unrelated work, and will only rejoin their field if offered at least the same pay rate as when they were laid off 3-4 years ago. There is much reluctance to give up their current position, even if low paying, to run the risk of being laid off again.
Frankly, our economy has little or no chance of rebounding if we cannot get qualified professionals to fill job openings as business picks up just a bit. If we cannot fill these jobs locally in the near future, companies will have no choice but to farm work out to off shore organizations. Candidates need to realize that companies cannot afford to offer more money than paid in 2008 and, most likely, will need to offer less until business truly turns around.
My conclusion? if you really are serious about jump starting your career, make some sacrifices and take a job in your chosen field regardless of the pay rate. If you do not act soon, chances are you will be left behind when things finally turn around.
Since this discussion, I have pondered this quite extensively. Search engines used to be loaded with highly skilled professionals who were updating their resumes every few months to stay near the top of the list of available candidates. Now, when running an online search, it is quite normal to notice that 75% of the resumes have not been updated in at least 18 months. The first reaction is maybe they found new jobs. Upon calling, I have learned that a lot of people never found something in their field, are doing totally unrelated work, and will only rejoin their field if offered at least the same pay rate as when they were laid off 3-4 years ago. There is much reluctance to give up their current position, even if low paying, to run the risk of being laid off again.
Frankly, our economy has little or no chance of rebounding if we cannot get qualified professionals to fill job openings as business picks up just a bit. If we cannot fill these jobs locally in the near future, companies will have no choice but to farm work out to off shore organizations. Candidates need to realize that companies cannot afford to offer more money than paid in 2008 and, most likely, will need to offer less until business truly turns around.
My conclusion? if you really are serious about jump starting your career, make some sacrifices and take a job in your chosen field regardless of the pay rate. If you do not act soon, chances are you will be left behind when things finally turn around.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Editorial Assistant Opportunity!
Bergen County NJ Publisher is hiring! BA in English, Journalism, Writing, Communications, or similar required along with internship or work experience providing editorial support to authors, writers, educators, etc. MS Office proficiency a must. 3-4 month project. Resumes to harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold Levin at 908-508-0300, ext. 205.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Estimator Needed for Perm Opportunity
A well established client in Central NJ has an immediate job opening (full time, permanent) for an Estimator who has experience in the custom millwork field. This person has to have either created millwork or run estimates in the past including costing out labor, identifying and ordering raw materials and being able to arrive at a final cost for the work. Send resumes or referrals to harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold Levin at 908-508-0300, ext. 205 to discuss.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
The Perfect Job!
Did you ever pause for a moment and ask yourself what the perfect job would be? How much would it pay? Where would it be located? Are vacation days and health benefits in the package? Would I receive overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 per week? Is there a health club membership included? Where is the holiday party located and may i bring a guest? What will my co-workers be like to work with? These are all questions I hear repeatedly from job seekers but they are not the ones I wish they were asking!
Ask yourself some of the following questions and see if they make more sense. Will this job allow me to grow professionally? Is the employer stable and does it have a reputation of treating employees professionally? Am i capable of doing a good job or do I lack some of the needed skills? Why is this position currently open? What is the management structure like and who will be my immediate boss?
It is important to note that what is perfect for one person could be a major mistake for another. Feel free to share your thoughts on what would make a job perfect for you.
Ask yourself some of the following questions and see if they make more sense. Will this job allow me to grow professionally? Is the employer stable and does it have a reputation of treating employees professionally? Am i capable of doing a good job or do I lack some of the needed skills? Why is this position currently open? What is the management structure like and who will be my immediate boss?
It is important to note that what is perfect for one person could be a major mistake for another. Feel free to share your thoughts on what would make a job perfect for you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
