employers Archives - Fun Job Fairs

Are You a Job Hopper?

October 22, 2012 by Julie Austin

If you’ve sent out tons of resumes and haven’t heard back from any of them, maybe it’s because they consider you a job hopper. When you have hundreds or thousands of resumes to sort through, one thing that stands out is the fact that you’ve had way too many jobs in too short of a period of time. Employers call these people “job hoppers”, and it doesn’t look good in their eyes.

As someone who has been on the hiring end of things in start-up companies, I can tell you that it’s even more important to make sure you get the right employees from the start. Hiring and training employees is one of the biggest expenses we have. Hiring the wrong person can be a costly mistake.

Job hoppers come in all ages, but is even more common in those under 30. When you just get out of college and still don’t really know what direction you want to go in, that’s one thing. But too much beyond that and it doesn’t look good to the person hiring you that you’ve had 7 jobs in the past few years. I personally wouldn’t be willing to take a chance on that employee. As a business owner I’ve put too much time, sweat, blood, and money into the business to hire people who are just going to be fly by nights. I would prefer to hire someone who has shown more loyalty and stability.

Of course, there are all kinds of reasons why someone would have a series of jobs before the age of 30. The problem is that you probably won’t get the opportunity to tell me about them because your resume wouldn’t get that far. This is why I like the idea of the job fair, where you can tell the person face to face what happened. Be honest. But if you really want to settle down with a job and believe this company is going to be right for you, let the hiring person know that. And explain your swiss cheese resume before it gets tossed in the trash.

Filed Under: Job Search, Networking Tagged With: business owner, college, employees, employers, hire, hiring, job, job hopper, resumes, startup

Job Fairs Struggle to Find Employers Who Are Hiring

September 1, 2012 by Julie Austin

The past two job fairs I put together was like pulling teeth. I had no problem at all finding job seekers. In fact, we were at the limit in the number of job seekers we could let into the job fair. It was finding employers who actually had jobs to give them that was the struggle. And it’s the same for other job fair planners. It’s simply like looking for a needle in a haystack.

The first job fair I put on was specifically for the show business industry. We had a decent turnout of industry employers, but many of them were only looking for entry level employers. And the number of calls I had to make to get those employers was staggering.

Job seekers spots were limited, so they were able to spend more quality time with the employers that did show up. And at least several of the job seekers did end up finding work. I hired one of them myself.

It’s an employer’s market and the ones that are actually hiring can choose to be as picky as they want. That’s why it could still be a good idea just to get in the door, even if it’s not exactly the job you want right now. Get in and prove yourself.

Filed Under: Job Fairs Tagged With: employers, entry-level, job, job fair, job fair planners, Job Fairs, job seekers, show business

Unemployable Job Applicants

July 21, 2012 by Julie Austin

I have a hard time believing that most people can find some kind of employment if they are willing to lower their standards, work for less money, or possibly move to find work. But there are some groups of people who will find it even harder than normal, even in a good economy, to find a job.

Very few companies are willing to give someone who has been incarcerated a chance. This is especially true if the offense was a violent one. But there’s nothing that says you can’t create your own job in this situation.

The same is true for someone who has a crippling disability, even though many disabled employees tend to be very loyal and hard working. Laws are in place against discrimination, but that doesn’t stop employers from being hesitant about hiring the disabled.

Having a mental illness is also a tough obstacle to overcome in getting a job. Sometimes working with others is difficult under those situations and so is being able to hold onto a job if they get one.

Some other examples are physical illness, chronic diseases, and having a low I.Q.

Filed Under: Job Seekers Tagged With: companies, employees, employers, employment, find a job, job, job applicants, unemployable

Do Job Seekers Need Multiple Skills?

July 6, 2012 by Julie Austin

I was always told that being a Jack, (or Jill) of all trades was a bad thing. You should just focus on one thing and do it well. Seems like times have changed. Some employers are saying they are having a hard time finding people with the right skills because they’re looking for people with multiple skills. And that isn’t always easy to find.

There’s a new trend in hiring. Companies want workers who can handle several different jobs for a number of reasons. For one thing, it cuts down on hiring. Employers say they would rather wait until the right person comes along who has all of the skills they need. Sometimes this means speaking several languages and being proficient at several different jobs. They would rather hire one person to do all of the jobs than hire multiple employees to do each individual job. And they’re willing to wait for that perfect person to come along.

This puts a huge burden on those job seekers sending out resumes. Call center workers no longer just answer the phones. Now they also need to be able to sell when customers call in. For example, if customers are calling in to buy a kitchen appliance, the call center operators must be able to convince them to buy a warranty or utensils too. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Job Seekers Tagged With: employees, employers, entrepreneurs, hire, hiring, job, job seekers, jobs, multi-tasker, multiple skills, resume, workers

The Job Search Buyers and Sellers Market

March 23, 2012 by Julie Austin

You’ve probably heard the term “buyer’s market” as it relates to the housing market. But it also applies to the job search market. This is simply basic economics of supply and demand. It describes how prices are determined by the number of things available to the number of people that want that particular thing.

In the case of jobs, right now there are more people looking for jobs and fewer jobs to be found. This makes it an employer’s market. They can afford to be picky and choose the best of the best. Very few companies are increasing pay and benefits. Some are lowering pay and benefits, while most are keeping them the same, but not hiring new employees.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. As an entrepreneur I have to hustle every day for work and new customers. So I’m quite used to it. But even business owners tend to get a little complacent about the hustle when economic times are good. What goes up always comes down and vice versa. The good news is that it won’t last forever. And when things return to a job seeker’s market you, my friend, will be more polished, with more skills, and more ambition and drive. Just keep in mind that it’s a temporary thing. Use this time to sharpen your skills, resume, and networking ability.

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: buyers market, employees, employers, entrepreneur, job market, job search, job search buyers market, jobs, resume, supply and demand

How Recruitment Agencies Work and Everything About Them

February 18, 2012 by Julie Austin

A recruitment agency, or employment agency, matches employers with employees, and they have been around since the 1600′s. The first one in the U.S. opened in 1893.

Employment agencies now cover different industries. The employment services industry has four different segments. Employment placement agencies list employment vacancies and place permanent employees. Temporary help services, also referred to as temporary staffing agencies, provide employees, on a contract basis and for a limited time, to clients in need of workers to supplement their labor force. Executive search services, often referred to as headhunters, provide search, recruitment, and placement services for clients with specific executive and senior management needs. Professional employer organizations are engaged in providing human resources and human resources management services to staff client businesses.

Here is a good description of how recruitment agencies work by Paul Malcolm:

Recruitment agencies work by ensuring that qualified candidates are matched with the appropriate employers. They act as an intermediary between the market and the company by making connections, which would otherwise be non-existent. Candidates always have the option of approaching the organizations directly but in most cases, it is advisable to consult with a recruitment agency because they make the entire process easier for you.

As a candidate searching for an opportunity or an employer, it is important to have an understanding of how the recruitment agencies work. This will give you a better perspective of what to expect from them at the time that you contact their services. First, keep in mind that this is a sales brokerage; the agencies make money by capitalizing on the work you get contracted to do. This means that when you apply for a position, they take the margin off the top of it and this essentially makes their profit. While this is the case, they should not be perceived in a negative light because they ensure that both parties benefit from the arrangement.

There are a couple of things you need to note about recruitment agencies. For starters, they are not in the business to advance careers; their goal is only to find an open position and if you have the proper qualifications, they see if they can get you into that position. By understanding this aspect it becomes easier to ensure that at the end of the day, you do not feel cheated by the type and quality of services offered by the contractors. It is also important to note that they work for two clients, both the candidate and the potential employer.

The process of choosing and placing contractors in the right positions takes time since they must ensure that the candidates are suitable for the positions. In this case, they have to carry out an executive and comprehensive search, which involves looking at papers from different contractors in order to determine the ones best suited for the position client. Keep in mind that their first priority is the client and as such, they work towards ensuring that the client is satisfied with the services offered. The executive search is often carried out under certain rules and regulations and the contractors are supposed to adhere to these in order to get the desired outcome.

The recruitment agency uses its own database to find candidates, which is ultimately the best process to use for carrying out an executive search successfully. They provide an open line for communication during the entire process and this increases the speed and reliability with which they deliver the services. It is for all these reasons and more that the prospect of hiring recruitment agency is always welcome. While this is the case, it is important to ensure that recruitment agencies you choose are reputable and that they have been in the industry for a long duration. This is the only way to ensure that at the end of the day, you get the most out of their services and what you’re looking for.

Looking for recruitment agencies Toronto to help you with your next job search? Then contact IQ Partners, leading headhunters specializing in executive search Toronto and recruitment.

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: careers, employees, employers, employment, employment agency, employment placement agencies, recruitment, recruitment agency, staffing, temporary help, temporary staffing agencies

References for Job Seekers

February 3, 2012 by Julie Austin

There’s more than one good reason not to burn your bridges after leaving a job. One is that you’ll need to have referrals from previous employers when applying to your next job. And these days they will check on them, so you need to make sure you have them ready in advance. Also, make sure you talk to your references in advance.

Job seekers with good references have a better shot at getting in the door for an initial interview and have a better chance of getting the job, all other things considered.

You can count on employers checking an average of three of your references. They should be ones that know as much as possible about your previous work situation, like the dates you worked there and your work performance.

Other references, such as community leaders and volunteer organizations where people at the top know you and your character are also valuable.

Just make sure you give accurate information and references that can and will give you a good evaluation.

Filed Under: Job Seekers Tagged With: employers, interview, job, job seekers, referrals from employers

Job Fairs for the Blind

January 28, 2012 by Julie Austin

A job fair can be a daunting experience to begin with, but it can really be difficult for the blind, even with the right training and resume. But the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind put on a job fair recently specifically for the visually impaired. The unemployment rate in Massachusetts is 7 1/2% for all workers and 37% for the blind.

Among the hurdles they have to overcome are applications they can’t read and the need for software that converts text to speech.

The job market is normally a challenge, but the recent recession has made it even more challenging. It’s also harder to get employers to hire the blind when there is more training involved.

Filed Under: Job Fairs Tagged With: employers, job fair, job market, resume, unemployment rate, workers

Tattoos and Job Seekers

January 14, 2012 by Julie Austin

In this tough job market you really don’t want to have any reason for an employer to turn you down for a job. And many employers won’t hire someone that has visible tattoos. This has lead to a number of people having their tattoos removed, which is painful and can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per removal.

One in four people in the United States between the ages of 18 and 50 have at least one tattoo.

Certain industries certainly frown upon having tattoos and piercings, including the Marine Corps, who has a policy of no visible tattoos outside of the uniform. And none at all that are offensive.

In the UK, taxpayers foot the bill to help their inked neighbors get them removed.

So, what should you do if you have a tattoo? If it’s well hidden and you can perform your job without it showing, then keep it. But if the tattoo is visible or offensive, consider having it removed to give you a better shot at employment.

Filed Under: Job Seekers Tagged With: employer, employers, employment, job, job market, job seekers

Startwire – New Online Service for Job Seekers

January 13, 2012 by Julie Austin

You go through the process of filling out an online application and then you wait. And wait. And wait. But you never get any kind of call or email to let you know whether you got the job or not. Job seekers say it’s one of the most frustrating parts of the job search. And many say they have a bad opinion of companies that don’t call or email them back.

Finally, there’s something you can do about it. There’s a way to get the answer you need regarding your application status. It’s called Startwire. And it does more than just give you an update on your status.

Startwire sends you daily updates based on your profile, connections, and your work experience. It scans your connections for referrals when you see a job that you’re interested in.

Startwire is a free online service that bridges the gap between job seekers and employers.

Filed Under: Job Seekers Tagged With: companies, employers, job, job search, job seekers, online application, work experience