CM Access

Imagine that headline! Or if you saw this in your inbox: “We’re looking forward to meeting you. Please bring a certified check for $200 for the time the interviewer will spend with you.”

I don’t think very many people would be happy with either scenario.

This article on Inc.com talks about a website called Notchup.com that is setting up a system for passive job seekers (those not actively applying to jobs posted on job boards or telling everyone they know they’re looking) to be paid when asked to interview with hiring companies.

The argument is that companies looking for the A players in their market are struggling to even get people to listen to their offers. So throw them a couple hundred bucks to listen to your pitch and maybe they’ll be that much closer to joining your team and bringing more success to your organization.

The nay-sayers claim that passive seekers will become serial interviewers and only go on appointments to gain pocket-cash. They’ll be “psychologically” turned OFF from considering the position because they’re only there for the money.

I am not so sure anyone would be willing to make up excuses to leave the office during the business day to go and listen to an interview, AND get paid for it, if they’re NOT still willing to listen attentively to what’s being proposed.

I also think that, when I work with and meet people everyday who would pay employers to interview them for informational meetings, just to get some knowledge and start a new professional relationship, maybe there are other things that need to change before companies start forking over money to interview candidates.

The article mentions that guest columnist for Inc.com Joel Spolsky recommends companies find good interns, and treat them so well they don’t want to leave. You’re then able to train them in YOUR methodology and values, and they grow with the company, instead of throwing away millions in a high-turn-over world when you hire someone who’s simply out of the highest bid. Why is this concept so hard to conceive?

It seems a bit like Notchup was getting some cheap PR from Inc.com. I bet you’re going to go look at the site, right? Isn’t that what they’re hoping? Isn’t it half the battle to just get a top-level candidate in the door to consider the options?

Technorati Tags: paid to interview, hire young, passive candidates, try something new, cheap public relations

Since there are always things to do around here, and this never seems to be at the top of the priority list, I thought I’d just write a quick note to keep you all intrigued!

I have been asked numerous times what our perspective on the status of the job market is at this time of year. Toward the end of 2007, the standard response was always “It’s a crazy time of year, budgets are in review, people are travelling, decision making is slowed down.” All of which were true to different magnitudes for each client and every company.

However, what’s been going on now that 2008 is in full swing, people are “back to the grind” and hiring needs still exist? As mentioned previously, most growth in hiring is going to be seen in healthcare and in technology. But that isn’t directly applicable, right?

I am hearing from designers and talented marketing professionals that they’re not finding a lot of movement on their resume submissions and applications.
Does this mean companies that post open positions aren’t actually hiring for these available opportunities?
Does that mean that candidates aren’t qualified for the positions to which they’re applying? Does this mean so many candidates are being considered that no one has time to even respond that a resume was received?

From my seat, we’re seeing a lot of positions that are more technical in nature than we have in the past. And, according to Monster, more technical and analytical positions are going to be the increasing demand at all companies in the coming months.

Also from my perspective, while the occasional production artist or print design contract has become needed by companies struggling with maternity leave and other temporary scheduling changes, the highest demand in the communications and advertising industries is for web-savvy design and strategy professionals.

Suggestion? Bone up on your SEO/SEM knowledge, learn a coding language and build a personal website to showcase these skills, tinker around with Flash or take a course in web design. Smaller companies will be looking for more versatile multimedia designers who can also handle print collateral, while larger companies are seeking those who can take the great design concepts of their current staff and translate it into usable, strategic web pieces.

I am one of those people that sees coding letters like HTML and XML and kind of shuts down. “That’s for the programmers to worry about.” But the increasing demand is going to be for people who understand why a PHP format is required for certain projects, or why Java and .Net are kind of like two paths to the same destination. WhatIs.comcan help you get quick answers, or talking to a developer will help you, too.

Key point: Make yourself aware of the technology happening in the creative industries. It’s not going away, and it’s likely to be a key desire for many of the open positions in 2008 and beyond.
additional key point: why not think about exploring temporary or contract positions? Especially if you’re miserable in your current situation? You might be able to expand your knowledge and portfolio of experience, and you could just end up falling into a perfect position for something you never thought of before!

Technorati Tags: employment outlook 2008, hiring status, technical positions, web design, career advice

Hoping to continue to be a resource for job seekers and career-minded professionals, I thought it might be helpful to share this information that was shared with me about the top growing fields for employment in 2008.

Eight Top Fields with Major Job Growth can be found at the Yahoo Hot Jobs page.

While some are obvious, like healthcare and technology, there is also growth predicted for independent creative professionals (good news!) and support staff in facilities management. Anyone with a nursing certification or the ability to program and build computer software is definitely in a good position to seek out the best opportunity for their career.

The author, Sonja Carmichael Jones from EarnMyDegree.com also highlights a very smart strategy for helping to secure a new position, including many of the things we’ve mentioned here. Most importantly, take the time to research companies and know what you want.

Get to know what jobs fall within the major industries.
Determine the skills and accomplishments you have or need to meet the requirements and showcase them on your resume. If you’re not confident about your skills then consider taking a course, volunteering, or pursuing an internship to enhance your skills. It’s also a good idea to look for mentors — they can become your biggest ambassadors when you need an outstanding reference.
Locate and research companies that you want to work for, and then network to make the right connections.

She also says something I can’t say enough:

Keep a positive attitude and be ready to jump in and work with all the skills and energy you’ve got.

As someone who speaks with a lot of job seekers at all levels of their career, and all stages of the search process, I can tell you first-hand that there is a point of burnout and it is detectable by hiring managers and anyone in the hiring process. You must always stay upbeat, confident, and positive about your experiences and past employers. If this means visiting a counselor to reassess where your focus needs to be, then maybe you should! Take some time to re-center, to really get to know yourself.

ok, enough new-age mumbo jumbo! It’s a new year, and a great time to make a fresh start. Keep at it, and if you’re not sure you’re doing the right things, just ask any CM Access career advocate!

Technorati Tags: industry growth, new year job search, job search burn out, healthcare jobs, technology jobs