Now Hiring with Karla Williams

Help Wanted: Why this is bad news

by Karla Williams

Earlier today I found an article in Business Week regarding everyone's pressing concern - unemployment. 

Apparently there  is another wrinkle that may derail the dreams of the unemployed - many of the jobs that are being eliminated may not come back. 

You see, apparently there is a mismatch between the skills of many of the people that are displaced and the needs of hiring companies.  What does this mean for the future?  I'm not sure anyone really knows, but one thing is for sure - if you think it is hard to get a job today - it is going to be even harder in the future.

According to this article, there are over 3 million jobs available right now - problem is companies say they can't find qualified workers to fill these jobs.  There are many reasons.

1.  Location of the job - people don't want to move.  They are established in their communities and are loathe to start over somewhere else.
2.  The skills the employer needs are not available in the available work force.  Employers typically will only make a hire when they find an employee that has a minimum of 90% of the skills that they seek.  Today many of the candidates they find only have 50% of the skill that they seek.

Combine that with the fact that people who are unemployed are perceived, with very few exceptions as damaged goods and the problem is magnified even more than the author in the article believes.  And as I write to members of my group, "Get a job - Keep a job" perception is reality.

Now as a recruiter, I have opinions on how this disparity can be solved, but that will not make me popular with my clients so I will keep them to myself.  As a Search consultant, I advise you to take a look at the skills that you have and the work experience that you have and to do the following:

1.  Make certain that your skills are current - one example - just a few years ago Project Managers did not need to have the PMP certification - now it is all but mandatory to find a new job as a Project Manager.
2.  Use a job board aggregator such as Indeed.com to keep an eye on whether or not anyone is hiring for the position that you have.  And if they are, what are the requirements for someone to get that same job today.

3.  Be prepared to take a lot less money if you are not a perfect fit for what companies look for.  Even the loftiest organizations will SOMETIMES (rarely, but it happens) make an exception and hire an otherwise competent person that has some of what they are looking for if the "price" is right.

4.  Get retrained while you still have a job.  It is likely that you will either want to make a change at some point or that a job change will be forced upon you by circumstances like the economy.

5.  Stay current- do whatever you have to do to get experience that makes your experience relevant, even cutting edge.  One candidate that I spoke to last week had volunteered at his local hospital to help them with an implementation of a new healthcare Information system so that he could put this experience on his resume.  Smart move to do that particularly in an area that is backed by the current stimulus initiatives and that is growing in most areas - even the most depressed.

To read the full article that started this train of thought.

To learn more about how to insulate yourself in this market and receive invitations to workshops and webinars on how to conduct an active job search campaign, join my groupsite, Get a Job - Keep A Job.

1984 in 2009 (CYA - Big Brother is watching!)

by Karla Williams

I wonder whether Orwell would see the parallel between the society that he described in his novel “1984” and the ability that our growing obsession with social media potentially gives to individuals and organizations to know all about us the way that I do. 

 

In his novel titled “1984” George Orwell described a society where everyone is under total surveillance by the authorities via tele-screens (combined camera/screens) and spies. The people are constantly reminded of this by the phrase "Big Brother is watching you".

 

You may be wondering what got me thinking about an old novel that was required reading in high school.  Sadly, it is because all too often lately, I am hearing stories about lost opportunities.  Opportunities that may have been realized had the victims been aware of the need to carefully manage their online activities. 

 

Recently a friend of mine called from DC to report that her daughter had not been admitted to the PhD program she had applied to.  Everyone was surprised because this young woman was an excellent student and a stand up girl as judged by those that really know her.  My friend’s husband, a retired Brigadier General made a few well placed calls and found out that while the university felt his daughter had excellent academic promise, her character was questionable.  Why?  They checked out her Facebook page and found self-reported drug experimentation in college in her profile.   (By the way – she also reported on Facebook that she hated the drug experience.)

 

In an era when jobs are scarce, cyber-stalking (fun and larcenous) is a hobby for many, and identity theft is on the rise - why would someone post this kind of information in cyberspace for everyone to see? 

 

It’s easier to do than you may believe.  Closer to home, I sent an email to a distant colleague of mine cautioning her sarcastic online remarks about her new employer.  Initially she was peeved at me and I could tell she thought I was paranoid, but I noticed the next time I logged on to Facebook those comments were no longer on her “wall”. 

 

The best advice I can offer is that if you wouldn’t say it to your mother or some other person whose opinion you revere – don’t post it online.  If that seems like too much of a violation of your right to express yourself – take the time to understand the privacy settings that all the social networking tools offer – and use them. 

 

Right or wrong – CYA (cover you’re a**). You may be sorry if you don’t.

 

By the way - the novel “1984: was written in 1948.  How strange is it that in 2009 tele-screens really do have the potential to allow anyone to watch you?

Remembering those who were fired and those who remain

by Karla Williams

Sometimes I am struck by that randomness of life.  Usually it is in a bad way.  Problems - a shaky economy, rising unemployment, troubling financial news. Worries - money, job security, healthcare.  Tragedies and Losses.  Mine and those of many around me.  All appearing in and out of our lives randomly.

But today my day has been touched twice before Noon by two individuals endeavoring to uplift all of us as we deal with the uncertainty of the market.  Somehow, it will be "ok".

If you are not spiritual, you can ignore this post with no judgment from me intended.

Ah, but if you are, click on the following link to a blog I came across while searching for candidates today.

In closing, Blessings.

The Hedgehog Exercise

by Karla Williams

The Hedgehog Theory is a great exercise to engage in to start or re-energize a job search because it encourages us to focus in on our “one great thing”.  Once we know what our “one great thing” is, think of how it simplifies the process.  You know the value that you bring to an employer, you know how to differentiate yourself from others that you may compete with, you know how to write a compelling resume that answers the question ”so what” and make people want to know more about how our “one great thing” contributes to their organization.

Want to find your one great thing?

Visit the author's laboratory and find an exercise to help you find your "one great thing"

Jim Collin's Lab

Everyone loves to hate recruiters

by Karla Williams

In my experience everyone hates recruiters until a recruiter works with you to land you the job of your dreams.  And as an experienced recruiter, I’m ok with this because I know that I provide a valuable service to both the companies that engage me to help them fulfill their talent needs as well as to the candidates that value my expertise and my contacts and that I ultimately end up representing. 

The fact of the matter is that there are only 5 - 10% of the candidates that are available in the current market, working and disengaged, that top recruiters will actively represent.  You see, top recruiters, the type of recruiters who you want to know, the type of recruiters that earn in the mid six figures year after year, the type you want to know you will only represent the best of the best.  If this sounds elitist, believe me, it is. 

To the average job seeker, I’m sure you are phenomenal in the performance of your duties and at executing successfully in your chosen vocation – but so am I and so are good recruiters.  We sell talent – because most people can’t sell themselves.  In fact most people don’t even know that they need to actively and aggressively sell themselves continuously - but most importantly while they are still employed.  And most companies are too busy doing what it is that they do to maintain the multitudes of contacts that a successful recruiter maintains as a matter of course.    

This is what a recruiter brings to the table.  Contacts.  They are your employment agent.  

So instead of figuring out whether you should engage with a recruiter and what value they bring to the table - resolve to engage with anyone that can further your goals.  Get your name out there, meet third party recruiters, meet in-house recruiters, meet managers in the companies where you want to work. 

It won’t be a waste of time the next time you find yourself out of work – or you find yourself in a situation in your current employment where you need resources – NOW!.  Imagine how much respect you will garner in your next job if your manager, peers, and subordinates know you as the “go to” person in your organization – the person that can get things done – not necessarily because of what you know – but because of who you know – and more importantly - who knows you. 

That, among a multitude of things, is what recruiter knows. 

Hey - I can't tell all my secrets!

Looking for job security - it still exists - kinda

by Karla Williams

In this day and age, with offshoring, outsourcing, layoffs, and a tight credit market - job security is that elusive element that we all crave.  Whether we will admit it or not, most people I meet exhibit a kind of longing for the good old days we have all heard about from our parents and grandparents where companies and their employees were partnered for the long term.  In those days, if you got a job with a company of any size - part of your compensation was that intangible benefit described as security.  They would pay your health insurance, help you buy affordable health insurance for your family, give you a generous allowance of sick days and vacation days, and they wouldn't fire your or lay you off unless you committed a grievous act against their corporate fortress.

For reasons too numerous to discuss this type of partnership does not exist anymore - but there is a close alternative.  It is call working for a governmental entity. And guess what?  They are hiring in large numbers!

Right after I graduated from college, I was "lucky" enough to land a job with the government.  My family was proud, my future was secured.  And now in this economy, I laughingly joke with my friends and family that I should have kept my good government job as I would be able to retire with a pension in 10 years.  But for me there was one problem - I hated it.  I am a free spirit and  I like to call my own shots as much as possible.  This is not possible in any type of bureaucratic organization, but is particularly not possible as a civil servant. 

But now I hear that things have changed and the government is a little leaner and meaner that it was when I worked there.  The government has labored for the last decade at becoming more private sector like and apparently it is a challenging and rewarding organization to work for. 

In this era of stimulus bills, the government is reportedly going to hire in excess of 200,000 new employees. 

So where do you find out about these great jobs?  There are a few places.

Monster has a great overview of the stimulus jobs.

Also check out a site called Making a Difference that talks about governmental opportunities that will help our world.

And if employment with Uncle Sam sounds like something you want to explore, visit the government's central job board, USA Jobs.  But as a former Federal insider, beware.  Applying for a government job bears little to no resemblance to applying for a job in the commercial sector.  Look for me to host a webinar on this topic in the not too distant future to help those wanting to explore Federal jobs opportunities.

First Things to Do if you lose your job

by Karla Williams

Immediate Steps After Losing Your Job
Its one thing to hear unemployment is on the rise, but when you lose your own job, it becomes all too real and very frightening and you need guidance of what to do next.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1463543/immediate_steps_after_losing_your_job.html

Five ways to make money in a Bad Economy

5 Money Opportunities in a Bad Economy
There are money opportunities in a bad economy, this article will discuss five of these businesses.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1469371/5_money_opportunities_in_a_bad_economy.html

Perspective on the Job Situation

As an Executive Recruiter, I am not sure I completely agree with all the advice or conclusions drawn in this article, but it does include some good warning signs and definitions.

From Readers Digest

Supercharge your Job Search, Now!

What makes up the $787B stimulus plan?

The Wall Street Journal published today a graphic of where the money in the stimulus plan is allocated to go.  To see the graphic.

Many are concerned about where this money is going, the government has launched a site called Recovery.com that will supposedly allow us to track exactly where, when and how the money is being used.  Visit the new site and bookmark it if you want to see how our government does at following through on their promises and the impact that this stimulus plan will really have on job creation.

Recovery.com