Enjoy the Meaning of the Season

Lot’s of folks have taken temp jobs with retailers who have added staff for the Holiday shopping season. It’s much like the saying, “Strike while the fire is hot.” Or, “Make hay while the sun shines.”  A few of my clients tell me that they are really happy for the opportunity to work and get a paycheck. But... they expect that after Christmas their jobs will probably go away.

Yet, I have one client that knows the score and how these jobs come and go, however, she is working as though she is on a 6 to 8 week long interview. She’s “working her butt off” and doing everything she can to do to ingratiate herself on the managers. She looking for this to turn into a full-time gig. She knows that her chances are slim, but she also knows that stores often invite the best of the “Holiday Temps” to stay on.

She reminded me that it’s more than just working hard. I point out to job seekers that a hiring manager will often choose one candidate over the other folks because they like that person better and see them fitting better into their team. This is really true, so if you have a “temp job” this year, think of it as a very long interview where you can prove you value.

Still, just having a job, even a temp job, is like getting a Christmas present. Christmas presents under the tree will be a common site in most households. But the holidays aren’t only about the gifts. The holidays give us an opportunity to stop and think about our blessings.

It doesn’t matter if it is Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa that you’re celebrating, we need to step out of our everyday lives and experience the meaning of the Season. This is a gift that you can give yourself, regardless of the balance of your check book.

For this year, may you have a blessed holiday. May you wake up in the morning and find that you’ve received a special present under the tree. May you have a fire in your hearth that warms you and your heart. And may you know that you are special, loved and important to our community and the whole world.

Beware of Scams Aimed at Job Seekers

Things are actually improving out there for job seekes, employers and even store owners. Really, it’s true, I’m not just a Pollyanna. Slowly things are getting better. I have clients landing jobs all the time out there. Last week, I had two clients land and two more are having second interviews and they feel really positive about the opportunity.

The week before last, a client told me that she had a job lead that she found through Craig’s List. At first she was pretty excited and then got suspicious when the hiring manager asked in an email if she wanted to work part-time, full-time or temporary, they were open to whatever she needed. It sounded a little too good, even though things are getting better out there, nothing is that good.  

My client, Sharon Zurek, sent me her story to share with you:

I was searching Craig’s list for job opportunities and noticed one for Events Planner.  I sent my resume and cover letter and received a response that I would be hired for the position.  I was instructed to find a 3-5 star hotel, travel accommodations and meal planning for 20-25 people for 12/8-12/10.  When I sent a detailed list of all the questions that needed to be addressed prior to security deposit to hold rooms and contracts for transportation, I received email stating to just book it and the attendee list would be coming shortly.  I would be receiving check to pay for expenses in the near future. I replied back that I wanted no part of this.

The post office tried to deliver a package for my signature but I was not home.   I went to post office and when I opened the express letter (at the post office) inside was a cashier’s check for $2,780 from a credit union in WA, the sender was from Oregon and the envelope was mailed from Atlanta.  I was instructed to deposit check, keep $60 for my work and go to Western Union to send a money order from the remaining balance immediately to someone in CA.  I spoke to postmaster and she took all the documents and will turn them over to USPS Fraud Department.  

So take Sharon’s experience to heart and don’t let the bad guys take advantage of you or your friends. You can contact Sharon, who is on LinkedIn if you have the need of a legitimate event planner and membership manager.

Following Up With People You’ve Contacted Before

Job search coaches tell job seekers that they should start out with a list of 150 contacts and build from there. Oh the groans we hear. “Why so many?” “I don’t know that many people.” “What, are you nutz!” These are some frequent comments; so, let’s look at these objections.

Why so many? Simply that’s about how many it takes. Orville Pierson cites in his book, The Unwritten Rules of the Highly Effective Job Search, it takes talking to 15 decision makers to land the job. Plus, it takes talking to 10 folks to reach a decision maker. 15 X 10 = 150.

I don’t know that many people. Well that’s easy; list all the people you do know. If you have a list of 90 names, that’s a good start. If you have a list of 35 names that okay too, you’ll build from there. Even if all you have is a list of ten, ten is better than zero. What’s important is that you have a list of people to call.

What, are you nutz! Well that remains to be seen. Most job seekers only feel that way in the beginning; after they’ve landed a job, they think I’m a genius! (Yes, I know what you thinking; but it’s my story and I’m sticking with it.)
Okay, let’s say that you’ve got your list of 150 names and you’re an excellent and motivated job seeker. Let’s also say that you listen to all your coach’s directions and you’ve made ten phone calls a day and 15 business days later you’re out of names. (It could happen!) What do you do now?

Again, that’s easy... get more names. One way to get more names is to go back and touch base again with the best folks on your list. What do I mean “best folks?” These are the people who have given you names already. You’ve spoken to their previous leads and given them feedback and shared your appreciation. So, they are going to be happy to share other contacts with you.

If you’re not sure what to say, ask them if they have any contacts or connection at a new target company you’re interested in. Then let the conversation go from there. People like to know how you’ve progressed. They’ll want to help some more if you’ve already utilized their first offering.

Getting a job requires talking to people, and doing it more than once. Sometimes our first conversation isn’t at a time or place where people can help us. That doesn’t mean that they cannot help us later. Be open to repeat visits. Be prepared with something new with which to engage them. Always remember networking is about relationships. Relationships take time and repeated contacts. And if you’re not having fun, do it differently, but don’t stop doing it!