To Temp or Not To Temp

Q: After being laid off, I am actively seeking a new full time, permanent position. Since that’s my goal, I've been telling most recruiters I’m not interested in temp work, or temp to perm at this point. When do you think I should go down that avenue of employment? I'm hesitant to accept a short term position, because I am still interviewing for permanent jobs, averaging about one interview per week…

A: No time like the present! Give that recruiter a call today and be honest with them. As long as they know you will be accepting interviews for permanent positions, with consideration to your temporary employer, it can be a win-win for all.

In this unique market being open to temp and temp-to-perm employment opportunities adds to your professional network and opens your search to a new demographic of employers, and the more companies that can consider you for their staff, the better. This is especially a good idea for professionals who have spent many years working within one industry or niche and are finding they are, “always the bridesmaid, never the bride.” Employers today are often extremely specific about the desired skills and the practical application of those skills, in other words if they are in the confectionery business, they may hesitate hiring someone from non-profit for example. A chance to evaluate the fit, without any obligation is a great option for both the employer and temporary employee.

Streamlining Your Job Board Searches

Whether you’re working full time or unemployed, searching for available positions on the job boards is still an important feature of your job search. In 2011, job boards are still a reasonably priced means of communicating employer’s open positions to the masses of job seekers that rest beyond their own database. But how do you know which boards to use?

Every day more job boards are started and employers enter into new contracts with them to test the waters and expand their candidate pool. How on earth can you possibly keep an updated list of which boards are appropriate for your niche and desired role? While we’re sure there are ways, there’s simply no need.

Just like Google, there are job board search engines that are created for the simple purpose of identifying any relevant position to your search, regardless of what board it may appear on. They work just like any board’s search terms would. You choose your location, travel distance and enter the keywords that have been successful in resourcing applicable positions for you. The aggregate will pull-up the positions that are most closely matching your requests, bringing every known and unknown posting site to your desktop in a nice, easy list!

Once you have confirmed these are the right searches for you, you may take this one step further by automating your search. You may schedule daily delivery of any newly posted positions right to your very own Inbox. Think about the amount of time you’ll save, avoiding jumping from site to site, keeping track of which keywords you entered last…instead, step 1 - open your email, step 2 - read the brief listing and by step 3 - you’re already considering the actual position and company. Work smart and hard, not just hard!

To learn more about these search aggravates, email Jennifer@CaterpillarCareerConsultants.com

I'm getting laid off and don't know where to begin...

Q: I’ve been working with the same company for several years and have just been told that my position is being relocating overseas before the end of the year. Now that I’ve gotten beyond the initial shock, what can I do to prepare for today’s job market?

A: Start with a deep breath and a little determination, the road ahead is not hard too navigate with a little guidance. These basic steps can start you moving in the right direction.

1) Do your homework and get familiar… with yourself!

Determine your Wants vs. Needs. By making this distinction, it will help you to make good decisions as you search for that new job. Get to know your strengths and weaknesses. “To thine own self be true” is best served when you are pursuing your talents and respecting your own limitations. Begin reviewing what types of positions may be a suitable fit to your overall experiences and compliments both your professional and personal goals.

2) Update your Resume and draft a general Cover Letter as your introduction.

It’s always better to do your resume without a pressing deadline looming. Start with an historical timeline and then build on your experiences with bulleted items. We suggest doing so in several shorter writing sessions, allowing you time to re-think and edit the final version.

3) Practice Interviewing.

Just like riding a bike, if you haven’t interviewed in a while, it may seem awkward at first. Look for new or hot Qs that are commonly being used in today’s market, review your resume, and practice well-paced answers avoiding “ums” and long pauses.

4) Update your social networking profiles and your online presence.

First, be sure your profiles on web sites like LinkedIn to Facebook match content from your updated resume. Second, be sure you review your published content for professionalism. While job searching, it’s critical to filter your image, as your name will be Googled before anyone calls you for an interview. Third, begin to review your contacts and explore all of the new connections that may assist your search, i.e. a friend of friend who works for that ideal employer and can make employee referral introduction.

5) Begin your search now, it can take some time.

Partner with a professional Career Coach. We can help you uncover jobs that aren’t posted online and help you streamline your search. Meet with local Recruiters to ensure that they are continually working on your search when you can not be. Lastly, work hard and smart by using job search engines like Indeed.com. These sites can compile jobs from all kinds of sites and have daily email alerts sent to directly you. Better you review and apply to each job there then spend time hitting countless sites and trying to remember which keyword you used last.

With each day ahead, take small steps towards your professional future. Remember, some days may offer a great return and have you preparing for exciting interviews, while others may not so rejoice over the small accomplishments along the way and stay positive. You can and will achieve your goals, as long as you believe in yourself!

From Want-Ads to Want-Me!

Just ten years ago, job seekers awakened early Sunday morning to rush down to their corner store for the Want-Ads classified section of the local newspaper. Eagerly, the unemployed would read the 30 words or less and rush off to the local fax machine, crossing their fingers the whole time. We knew very little about the prospective opportunity, but had high hopes and pushed on.


In 2009, very few companies even consider buying a print ad in their local newspaper or Want-Ads – they’re almost ancient history. Corporate job descriptions now boil over with details and dreams of their ideal hire. While frustrated HR professionals often choose to not post these jobs online after previously being flooded with unqualified candidates time and time again.


So how are people getting hired for the job that they can’t even find? Instead of focusing on Want-Ads and online postings, successful job seekers focus their energies on self-promotion campaigning, ergo “Want-Me.” Nobody knows you better than yourself, so who better than you to communicate your story and message to the marketplace? No one!

Through a combination of traditional techniques and new media marketing, create a campaign targeting your desired audience of prospective employers and have a-go. In more than 15 years of recruiting, never once did I say, “…oh no, someone sent me their resume with a cover letter of introduction!”

With every send, you’re taking another step closer to your long-term goal, forging new business relationships all along the way. Our career coaches are specialists who will work with you through your campaign, guiding your path, helping you jump the hurdles and land firmly on both feet. It all starts with the first small step, speak with a qualified career coach now…after all, your competition is.

Forget Iced-Tea, THIS is the BEST STUFF ON EARTH!!

Update on the job search...

From Vicky: I landed a new teaching job in SANTA MONICA!!!! And I owe a piece of my success to you for your amazing encouragement and positivity!!! Thank you thank you thank you for keeping me sharp with my resume and keeping the spirit alive!!! We MUST hang when I get back to the island, which I will be able to do since the money will be SO much nicer than what I was making this year!

I'm so proud of Vicky...just days back she was feeling like her budding career was smashed out like a half-smoked cigarette, after receiving the news of her unexpected lay-off. This was a normal reaction, but from such a seemingly strong person like Vicky? That isn’t the Vicky we’ve all grown to know and appreciate! However when any professional is handed this unfortunate decision, it’s a normal reaction to feel muted and as though there are few career options ahead in this unique job market.

So Vicky and I got to work! We identified her challenges and faced them head-on. We took out the red pen and went to work updating her resume to truly express her depth of knowledge, strengths and contributions to both her employers and her students. We found new ways to get interviews for job openings, dispelling rumors that no one is hiring today. And with a deep breath, some new tools and a lifted confidence, Vicky headed back into the market space, ready and willing to talk shop with any and all relevant prospects.

Vicky thanked me…but she really needs to thank herself as well. I’m a coach, I only influenced her direction and decisions, Vicky got the gumption and made it happen! (…and I bet, no - I know, it didn’t even hurt a bit!)

Go get ‘em Vicky!!! You are an inspiration to job seekers everywhere!!
~Jennifer