Archive for July, 2011

Skills! You Need Them

Justin Kraft, Marketing Coordinator
July 26th, 2011
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A question that we have been hearing on a regular basis is “Where do I get the technical skills I need to compete in today’s job market?”  The obvious and expensive answer is college.  However, there are many ways to gain valuable skills that cost much less and may even be free.

Create a plan!

So many people enter the job market without a plan.  Before you send out one resume you need to think about the positions that you are applying for and what they will require.  If you are in sales you may need to be versed in CRM databases. If you’re a developer you may need to know languages such as JAVA or Ruby on Rails. To do the regular tasks of the day in a wide variety of administrative work you need to know Microsoft Suite and other various programs.   Start by researching the job descriptions.  You can dig even deeper by participating in blogs that focus on these types of careers.  After you know what skills employers are looking for you can start looking into how to acquire these skills.

Research where to find them!

Now that you have narrowed your focus decide how and where to gain the knowledge.  There are certifications available that cost money.  Some may be as little as $50 while others can be in the thousands. In any medium sized city there is a community college that may have some inexpensive classes.  If spending extra money is not an option, there are some other great resources available to get you started.  Workforce Centers are extremely useful.  They provide many classes in a variety of areas and in most cases at no charge.  If you don’t see what you’re looking for there, look into some groups on www.LinkedIn.com and www.MeetUp.com.  These sites often have groups organized to give a seminar series in particular areas.

Stay in the KNOW!

After you gain skills you need to stay ahead of the curve on technology and program changes.  Continue improving your knowledge even after you have that new career.  What is used widely today may be obsolete tomorrow.  A great website to keep you updated on trends is www.Mashable.com.

There are countless types of computer systems and programs, so you need to narrow your focus based on the job you ideally want.  Do your research and above all get motivated to gain these skills by getting involved in classes or seminars.  The more knowledge you gain the more marketable you will be.

Posted in BP2 Tips and Tricks, BSI Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

5 Do’s of Working with a Recruitment Agency

Tami Palmer, BP2 Division Director
July 6th, 2011
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There are many types of staffing organizations that exist and can assist you in your job search. Whether you sign up with a temporary placement agency, recruiting firm or executive search firm any of these groups can help expand your network. The following list provides information of what you should be doing to increase your chances of getting placed.

Do:

Understand that agencies are employer paid
You are the commodity that agencies “sell” to make their money. All agencies are employer paid and their job is to find the ideal match for their client’s open positions. If you are the right fit for a particular position, then they will do everything in their power to make you look like the ideal candidate for their client. If you are not the right fit, they will likely add your resume to their database for future searches.

Check in on a regular basis
While an agency may have your resume in their database, mark your calendar to follow up on a regular basis. Candidates who are front of mind are more likely to be contacted when opportunities come available. If you’re working with a temp agency it may be appropriate to email or call your representative weekly, with technical or executive recruiting firms once a month may be more appropriate. Your representative should guide you on how their firm works.

Sign up with more than one agency
Because agencies are employer paid, you never know which agencies have agreements with which companies. If there are specific companies that you want to work for ask the agency if they staff for those organizations. The more agencies you sign up with, the more your chances increase in getting contacted.

Consider contracting or temp to hire
If you’re not currently working, consider temping or contracting. Not only does this put money in your pocket, but it allows you the chance to see inside companies and learn more about their culture. Getting out of the house and working keeps your skills current, grows new skills and allows you to continually be meeting people in the working world who can help you network for the right opportunity.

Be Honest
Recruitment agencies are your staffing partner, and the more you can building a trusting relationship with your contact, the better job they can do finding you the right opportunity. If a position they’re describing does not sound like a fit, explain so, and then share what would be a good opportunity for you. Keep them abreast of what you’re doing on your own with your job search so that they can better assist you.

Originally published on Expert Beacon.

Posted in BP2, BP2 Tips and Tricks, BSI, BSI Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized | No Comments »