Gary Eastwood, Beck/Eastwood Recruitment Solutions, Valencia, CA

The beauty of the NPA experience is that there’s no wrong way to work successfully with a trading partner, if the importer and exporter are on the same page. Following is a case study in developing a new trading partner met at an annual conference and developing a partnership that yields multiple split placements.

In my experience, the backbone of a great NPA partnership is finding a process between importer and exporter that is efficient, particularly if you’re working with several different types of positions with different clients. In my case, I met Jeff Kortes from Human Asset Management in Milwaukee at last year’s Nashville conference.

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Recent financial events have me thinking about our globally connected world and the importance of diversification. We have long understood the continued globalization of world economies but it is highlighted when China’s demand for commodities has an impact on Main Street. These signs of change can cause many to retreat to our comfort zones and expect that our world won’t really change. Or we assume, perhaps even hope, that what we do will remain unchanged.

If you haven’t been touched by globalization and the flattened world, you are either in a uniquely localized market or in a niche that is insulated from the global economy. Most recruiting businesses are touched, impacted, maybe even clobbered by the growing worldwide influences on our economy and particularly on the industries we serve. Ask someone in the auto industry.

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The following article was written by Dave Cirillo, Ph.D.,president of PETisphere.

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“Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to work we go…” Do you hum this little ditty as you ready yourself to do battle with traffic and work stress each and every work day? No? We didn’t think so! But if you would like the companionship of your pet at work to help you get through the day, well… you’re not alone.

According to a recent Monster.com Meter Poll, nearly one-third of the 10,000-plus surveyed feel that “pets should be allowed in the workplace.”

Or how about this recent headline in the Urbana, Illinois News Gazette by reporter Julie Wurth: “More pets are going to work.” The article continues, “The morning routine is the same as in most offices. Co-workers Miles, Lily and Rile greet each other, admire new outfits, maybe sniff each other once or twice. Canines of all stripes – and spots – roam the offices of the ASPCA Midwest Office in Urbana’s Sunnycrest Mall.”

Even the venerable American Psychological Society has seen fit to comment on the canine and feline in-the-workplace phenomenon: The APA recently gave its coveted “The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award: Best Practices Honors” to 15 innovative companies. And one firm makes the list because the company lets employees bring pets to work – and offers pet insurance. That company is … Small Dog Electronics in Vermont.

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More and more employers are reviewing personal web sites and listening to voice mails left on cell and home telephones. If a prospective employer listened to your voice mails, what impression would they have of you?

The higher the position, the more likely an employer is to “google” your name to see what comes up!

If you do have a personal web site, you need to review it from the eyes of your potential employer. After the review would the employer be more or less impressed? Would the web site have any influence on their hiring decision?

Too often, information that seems harmless on your web site can ruin your chances of being hired by major corporations! Go to your site right now and review it objectively. Remove any and all “controversial” information and any inappropriate links!

Your next job offer could be affected by your decision! Good luck in your search.

Barb Bruno, CPC, CTS
Courtesy of: Good as Gold Training, Inc. (www.jobseekerinfo.com)

Happy New Year! Make 2007 YOUR YEAR! The beginning of each new year is an excellent time to put your job search at the top of your New Year’s Resolution list! Make sure that you state the following: “My New Year’s Resolution is to be gainfully employed with a company that I have targeted.”

It is a fact that many people seek out new opportunities at this time of the year. This is true for a variety of reasons. Individuals that are not currently employed realize that decision makers are back from their holiday time off and ready to fill their open positions. Many individuals that are already employed but unhappy with their current position, often wait until January to start their job search. This is usually because they want to use any accrued vacation time and qualify for a possible year end bonus.

Therefore, your competition has increased a bit from the end of last year, when hiring slows down; however, there are many, many more opportunities available…NOW!

Regardless of the time of the year, the job seeker that is ACTIVE in his/her job search will be the candidate that secures the career they want!

There are many reasons why NOW is a good time to JOB SEARCH:
1. Decision Makers are back from time off during the holidays.
2. Corporations have a new budget, with hiring allowances.
3. Often companies will make changes at the beginning of the year. This often creates movement within the organization and creates new positions.
4. An overall positive attitude of hiring authorities. They are usually more motivated now, to fill their openings.
5. There are many job seekers that took the time during the holidays to improve their cover letters, resumes, conducted research, etc. in order to better position themselves for NOW!
6. Recruiters are excited to start a new year! They are salespeople and they want to start their year with top production. What that means to you is that Recruiters in all disciplines are motivated to successfully place as many candidates as they can, in their first quarter of the year,
7. It is a busy time for all hiring authorities. There is always some turnover within corporations at the end of every year.

As job seekers, you need to take advantage of the reasons listed above!

Conducting a thorough job search takes true commitment to attain your GOAL! If you are not currently employed you should dedicate 40 hours to your search per week. Your full time job is to find a job! If you are already employed but want to make a job change, you need to devote a minimum of 15 hours a week to your search!

Happy New Year & We Wish You A Year Filled With Health, Happiness & Prosperity!

Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
Courtesy of: Good as Gold Training, Inc. (www.jobseekerinfo.com)

When you are engaged in a job search, whether active or passive, you will probably be involved in a different economic situation. Some of you may be sole breadwinners while others may have spouses who are currently employed. Some of you may be fortunate enough to have excellent severance packages, while others have nothing at all. Regardless of your circumstances, what we do know is that it is impossible to predict when your ideal job offer and ultimate acceptance will come. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you initially conduct a financially planning assessment to review on-going and other anticipated and financial needs. If you do have a family it is important to include your spouse in order for both of you to understand and agree how to best handle money matters until you are once again employed.

Regardless of your situation, you should always consider doing the following:
1. Immediately reduce or eliminate spending on non-essential items! (This will be difficult in the beginning. However, once you make a conscious effort in this area it becomes easier.)

2. Delay expenditures on essential items until absolutely necessary. You need to then do your homework! You need to take into account what is your present cash situation. This is considered your “cash inflow.”

This includes: any Severance Package Money, Investment Income – including Checking and Savings Accounts/Interest. It also includes Bonds/Interest Capital Gains, Dividends, Rental or any trust income. Other sources include any Retirement Income – Social Security, Pensions, Unemployment Alimony or Child Support. This includes an estimate of any other cash that comes in on a regular basis. (This is money that you can count on every month.)

Your next step is to get a realistic projection of your expenses. This is considered your “cash outflow.” These are typical expenses that are routinely incurred by most people. Also keep in mind that you will incur some expenses from your job search itself!

The following should be considered: All Outstanding Bills or other Debts, Interest on Debts, Mortgage or Rent, Property Taxes, Groceries, Utilities – gas, water, electric. Other expenses are Phone, Cable, Cell phone, Garbage Maintenance, Clothing, Auto Expenses – gas, oil, etc. any Transportation, any Entertainment, any Tuition, and Dry Cleaning, Personal Items, any Prescriptions, Children Expenses – lessons, school, etc. The other expenses to consider are Life Insurance Premiums, Medical Insurance Premiums and Auto Insurance Premiums.

Once you have put all of your information on paper (or on a spreadsheet.) You will then be able to gain perspective on where you are financially, and how you will “maintain” your living expenses while you are conducting your job search. If you don’t have a plan, your finances can get “out of control.” While you are conducting a job search the last thing you want to be is “out of control of anything!” If you know where you are, and you know what direction you are going, your job search will remain your TOP PRIORITY! If your priority is your job search, your finances will not be an issue!

Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
Courtesy of: Good as Gold Training, Inc. (www.jobseekerinfo.com)

Needs and wants are the foundations on which you set realistic and attainable goals. If the goals that you are setting are what you really want or need out of life, you are motivated, and therefore you are more likely to achieve them. However, if the goals you are setting are meeting someone else’s wants or needs, you will probably find it frustrating to try to attain them. It is extremely important that you take the time to explore and identify both your needs and your wants. Once you have identified these, you are now beginning to identify what it means to be successful by YOUR own personal standards!

When you are considering your needs and wants it is important not only to distinguish between the two, it is also imperative to examine how many times the “SHOULDS” in your life will get in your way. Every time you believe that you should do something, you are implying that you neither want nor need this, but somehow you feel required to do it. These “shoulds” will drain your energy and take your focus off of what is truly important. If you live your life being “guilted” by “shoulds,” you are limiting your opportunities as you make your career decisions. The goal is to eliminate as many “shoulds” as possible.

Your needs are the things that you truly need to survive. Your needs are anything which you perceive as necessary for your personal well-being. When your basic needs are met you feel secure. Your needs are usually your highest priority! Your needs are anything which you perceive to be necessary for your personal well-being. These items are all fundamental to the pursuit of happiness.

You wants are the items which you have s strong desire for, but may not be essential for your personal well-being. Your “WANTS” have more to do with enriching your life. Balance and common sense are necessary to make appropriate choices about your wants.

Pure logic or even common sense are not necessarily operative when considering your needs and wants. There are times when the desire for immediate gratification enters the picture causing wants to become a greater priority than needs. It is very important to clearly know what you need and what you can wait for, even though you want it. You must satisfy your basic needs and work calmly towards satisfying your wants.

USE THESE 3 SIMPLE GUIDELINES WHEN CONDUCTING YOUR SEARCH:
1. Formally write down what you NEED to live at “survival” level.
2. Clarify what you WANT and when you want it.
3. Sort out the SHOULDS that you have become “tied to.”

Good Luck in Your Job Search!

Nancy J. Phillips, CPC

Courtesy of: Good as Gold Training, Inc. (www.jobseekerinfo.com)

A well thought out, concise Marketing Plan is an essential part of your successful job search! A solid, detailed Plan forces you to focus and direct your job search; ensures that you are covering all methods; keeps you aware of how much work you have to do, and evaluates the quality of your efforts.

Your Marketing Plan is a dynamic, action oriented plan that helps you set realistic and meaningful daily, weekly and monthly goals. This plan is critical to your career management program.

Follow these STEPS when you are writing your Marketing Plan:
1. Define your target market by considering the following….
A. Industry
B. Corporations in the Industry
C. Services / Products of the Corporations
D. Number of Employees
E. Geographic Locations
F. Corporations Net Worth
2. Describe the job function you want.
3. Review classified ads for sample job descriptions.
4. Compare your skills, experience, education and background to the sample job descriptions to see if your background supports the positions you are interested in.
5. Map out your campaign strategy: RESEARCH
6. Compile your networking list.
7. Develop a list of recruiters/agencies that specialize in your area of expertise.
8. Organize your direct mail plans.
9. Tailor your resume and other marketing pieces.
10. Get interviews
11. Document the results
12. Follow-up

You have to think of yourself almost like a product you are selling to a prospective buyer – the HIRING AUTHORITY. Job Searches are difficult because you have to “sell yourself.” If you are not in the Sales Profession, it can be extremely uncomfortable – but it is necessary! If you were selling a product, you would identify “who” would be most likely to purchase your product. You must do that same type of methodical planning when you write the marketing plan for your job search. Compiling this plan will drastically REDUCE the time it will take you to find your next wonderful career opportunity!

Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
Courtesy of: Good as Gold Training, Inc. (www.jobseekerinfo.com)

When you are job searching you are on a fact-finding mission! You must research and become an expert in the field you have targeted as your first career choice. I will give you sample questions that you must ask about your field or industry.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT A CAREER CHOICE OR INDUSTRY
1. What are the basic prerequisites for opportunities in the field?
2. What entry-level jobs qualify one for this field?
3. What types of training do companies give to people entering this field?
4. What are the average salary ranges for various levels of experience in this field?
5. What aspects of a career in this field do you consider particularly beneficial? Particularly bad?
6. Do you view this field as a growing one?
7. Is there currently a demand for individuals in this field?
8. What is the typical profile of a successful person in this field?
9. How do you see the opportunities in the field changing over the next ten years?
10. What is the best way to obtain a position which will start me on a career in this field?
11. What hours do successful people normally work?
12. May I review job descriptions for some of the positions in this field?
13. What, if any, are the positive as well as negative, issues facing this industry?
14. What kinds of technical skills will provide greater opportunities to advance in this industry?
15. Who are the respected individuals in this industry?
16. What government regulations affect this industry?
17. What are the main issues facing your industry?
18. Which other industries directly affect what happens in this industry?
19. Which kinds of companies are forming strategic alliances in this industry?
20. What do you see are the greatest opportunities in this industry within the next 3 to 5 years?

You need to become an expert in the field you have targeted as your first career choice! The more educated you become, the better you will sound during your interviews. Your knowledge will set you apart from your competition and will drastically increase your chances for becoming the candidate they select for their opportunity!
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
Courtesy of: Good as Gold Training, Inc. (www.jobseekerinfo.com)