Randy Wooden from The Wooden Group takes calls and answers on questions on how to find a job, including networking and utilizing your current connections.
To learn more, call us at (336) 793-8040 or visit: http://www/woodengroup.com!
STAY CONNECTED!
By: Randy Wooden
With summer almost over and school starting, many job hunters who’d taken time off to travel and otherwise spend family time now look to resume their search.
Fall is traditionally a good time for hiring. So is the first quarter. Current economic circumstances suggest there is no “good” time for companies, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t jobs out there. It does mean they’re fewer and harder to obtain, so don’t give up.
First, assess where you stand regarding your network. If you haven’t had contact in several weeks, find something of interest to your intended contact (an article, for instance) and share it with them. Use that as an intro to help keep you front of mind. Offer to help their friends who may be looking. Seek to give, first… receive, second.
Update your online presence. Tweak your resume on the job boards to keep it fresh. Make a couple changes each week to your LinkedIn profile and rejoin its group discussions. Check your resume and add any recent self-employment achievement or relevant volunteer activity. Rehearse your answers to interview questions.
In short, hit the job trail with enthusiasm and a game plan. Easier said than done, yet you and I both know it’s critical.
Learn more about us at www.woodengroup.com.
STAY CONNECTED!
By: Randy Wooden
www.WoodenGroup.com
During my career I’ve not only provided private and corporate outplacement, but I’ve also spent years as a headhunter (executive search) and have worked inside corporations as an in-house recruiter. And I’ve been a job seeker myself. So I bring a diverse experience when assisting someone’s job hunt.
I’m often told, “I’ll hold off on contracting with you because I want to have a recruiter place me for free.” The reality is that recruiters are in the “round peg – round hole” business. They place people who possess very specific industry, functional and educational backgrounds. The fact you might possess transferable skills is all well and good, but put yourself in the shoes of a company paying the fee. Would you pay a hefty fee for someone coming from a different background? Why?
Executive recruiters are commonly referred to as headhunters. If your industry and function are on target… if you have the required education, salary and are in the approximate experience level (age) range, then you MIGHT have a shot.
I say MIGHT, because you also must possess reasonably good interviewing skills. This is, after all, a competitive environment and you must be better than what the company can find on its own for free.
But an even larger hurdle is the economy. With a glut of supply (job seekers) a company often times feels it doesn’t need a recruiter’s help in finding that ideal candidate. Web-based searches can often turn up a wide selection of qualified candidates. So the recruiter is at the mercy of their client company’s willingness to pay fees to begin with.
A very small portion of our workforce is placeable by headhunters at any given time. If client companies aren’t paying fees for someone just like you, your resume becomes inventory on a recruiter’s shelf.
The Wooden Group guides you through each aspect of a job search to increase your effectiveness and, logically, shorten your hunt time. If you’re serious about your career, why not contact us for an initial interview?
To learn more, call us at (336) 793-8040 or visit www.WoodenGroup.com!
Come to our free workshop and receive a complimentary resume critique!
The Wooden Group’s one-hour “Get Hired” workshop is every Thursday at noon where we’ll discuss how you can improve your marketability, make your resume stand out, figure out the best way to network, improve your interviewing skills…and more!
We cover all aspects of a job search. Workshop content is largely driven by you – the attendee. So, bring your questions!
The Wooden Group’s office is located in the Broyhill Office Suites on Clemmons Road next to the Clemmons Public Library.
Seating is limited, so call 336.793.8040 or email randy@woodengroup.com to confirm your spot.
Learn more about us at www.woodengroup.com.
STAY CONNECTED!
By: Randy Wooden
Recent reported accounts of low employee job satisfaction shouldn’t be news to most of us. With unemployment hovering around 10%, those who are still employed may well be thankful we at least have a job, but we aren’t particularly thrilled with our situation. (http://www.monstersandcritics.com)
This survey indicates only 45% of Americans are satisfied with their work. I suspect the number to be much lower. For instance, if you took aside each person in a random group of 20 people, I’d wager you’d find all but a couple are unsatisfied with their status when considering compensation, stress, job stability, workload, growth potential, and work/life balance.
Employed people, for the most part, are grinning and bearing it until the economy heats up. Leaving for a new job can be risky any time, but more so these days. Think about it. Not only is there no guarantee you’re not trading one set of headaches for another, but if your new employer encounters financial challenges, they might look to lay off the last hired. So you hunker down and ride out the storm right where you are.
As the economy comes back and companies begin to hire once again you’ll see substantial turnover among employees who’ve felt underpaid, overworked, underappreciated and overstressed.
My advice to employers right now is to pay your people the very best you can and to make them feel important to your company’s success. It’s no guarantee they won’t bolt in time, but your proactive steps today could help stem the tide of employee churn.
If you’re employed and not happy where you are, begin laying the groundwork for your eventual move. Be sure your resume and web presence are first rate, aggressively pursue your networking efforts and rehearse your answers to interview questions. Take time to select targeted companies where you think you’d like to work. Get to know people there so that when they begin to hire you’re front of mind. You’ll be ahead of most people if you follow those steps. Good luck!
Learn more about us at www.woodengroup.com. You can also connect with Randy on LinkedIn.
STAY CONNECTED!
By: Randy Wooden
www.WoodenGroup.com
The month or so between Thanksgiving and Christmas means many things to many people. From quiet time with family to shopping to parties to traveling to catching up on household projects, many people put aside the job hunt until after January first.
My suggestion? Don’t put off the search. Here’s why. Think of the supply and demand issue. Sure, many employers hold off on hiring until January. But think of not only how many out-of-work folks take time off during the holidays, but also consider the number of “New Year’s Resolution” folks who decide to hit the job market in January.
Keep up your job search momentum. Continue to network with as many people as is possible. Many of your competitors are sitting it out this time of year. By staying the course you’re setting yourself up for a more productive first quarter in your search. Good luck!
To learn more, call us at (336) 793-8040 or visit www.WoodenGroup.com!