TaskRabbit Connects Workers to Employers

An article on page B5 of the May 29, 2013, edition of The Wall Street Journal, by Geoffrey A. Fowler and Brenda Cronin, “Freelancers Get Jobs via Web Services”, discusses how the TaskRabbit website (http://taskrabbit.com) connects freelancers with jobs.

“TaskRabbit executives hope to tap a shift in the U.S. economy toward freelance and ‘micro-entrepreneurial’ work.  Other similar websites are Elance (http://www.elance.com), Lyft (http://www.lyft.me/), and Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/careers/) which are growing as they connect workers with Internet –savvy employers and customers.

The article quotes Dane Stangler, Director of Research and Policy, for Ewing Marion Fauffman Foundation, who estimates that 10% of U.S. workers are freelancers.

The article provides several anecdotes of individuals who have found success as freelancers. There are many other websites that provide leads to temporary employment including:  Manpower Group (http://www.manpowergroup.com/), Onforce, Inc. (http://onforce.com), Kelly Services (http://www.kellyservices.com), and LinkedIn Corporation (http://www.linkedin.com/). 

Please share your experience in finding work as a freelancer using any of the above sites or other such sites by commenting on this blog or emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.

Thanks, Glyn

Couch Potato Jobs

There are many moneymaking jobs that do not require you to leave your home.  However, most of such jobs require you to be Internet connected.  For example I was an online professor teaching MBA courses for a number of years. 

An article on page 1J of the May 26, 2013, edition of The Dallas Morning News, by Christine Durst and Michael Haaren of Creators Syndcate, “Earn Extra Cash or Merchandise”, discusses how you can spend your time at home profitably.  The article provides the following ideas:

Get paid to take a survey: American Consumer Opinion – http://www.acop.com/,  http://www.focusgroup.com, and http://www.opinionoutpost.com/

Standing in line for ticket buyer – http://www.ticketpuller.com

Review websites: http://www.userlytics.com  and http://www.startuplift.com

A word of caution, you should beware of scammers who try to lure consumers with promises of high payouts for a few minutes of work.  Some may demand a registration fee.

Please share your suggestions for couch potato jobs by commenting on this blog or emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.

Thanks, Glyn

Is It Time for You to Become An Entrepreneur?

An article in the May 21, 2013, edition of The Dallas Morning News, by Hanah Cho, “Business is Booming”, discusses how a couple from Dallas started their own business.  After having successful careers, Pat and Mary Sculley have invested in a startup health and wellness franchise and are successful.

As an active member of SCORE (www.score.org), I frequently meet with individuals planning to start or who have already established a small business.  As SCORE mentors, we encourage individuals to educate themselves in entrepreneurship before striking out on their own.  Score as well as other not-for-profit organizations are eager to assist individuals as they pursue a goal of opening their own business.

There are three basic ways to open a business – start from scratch, purchase a franchise, or purchase an existing business.  Further, there are three starting venues: 1. developing an online site using the Internet, 2. opening a physical brick mortar location, or 3. becoming an independent consultant.  The viability of any startup business is dependent on these decisions.

Another key ingredient to a successful business is funding.  Without adequate capital to start and sustain a business startup, one’s success is fleeting. 

Please share your suggestions with individuals considering opening their own business by commenting on this blog or emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.

Thanks, Glyn

Internships, Volunteerism, and Hobbies

 

In my previous blog I discussed getting a job without work experience, so I thought I would revisit some suggestions for getting experience. 

Internships – both paid and unpaid – are probably the most difficult to find particularly in your focused career field.  However, if you are successful in finding an internship, it is important to make a positive impression as a can-do energetic worker.  You are hoping to land a permanent job or as a minimum to be able to network using your supervisor as a supportive reference.

Almost all not-for-profit organizations welcome volunteers.  I suggest that you seek a position within the organization that meets your career goals.  For example, if you are an IT person, typical not-for-profits organizations need help with their computer and Internet systems.  If your focus is sales and/or client contact, there are numerous positions available. 

Finally, if you have a hobby that is your passion such as computers, painting, collecting, writing, or renovating something, perhaps your hobby will be a skill that an employing organization needs.  Think Hobby Lobby! (http://www.hobbylobby.com/)

You can use Google, Bing, or other search engines to find links to internships, volunteer organizations, and hobby opportunities.

Please post a comment or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com your suggestions for gaining experience through an internship, volunteer position, or hobby.

Thanks, Glyn

Getting a Job with No Relevant Experience

Catch22 - Cannot get a job without experience, so how do you gain experience without getting a job?

Perhaps you have more relevant experience than you think. 

Departing members of the military find themselves without relevant experience; however, the experience they have can be transferred to relevancy in the civilian world.  Leadership and command responsibilities are certainly required in business.

What about athletes?  Does catching a football or hitting a baseball constitute relevant job experience?  Many retired athletes have found jobs in the press and media.  Further the discipline and energy devoted to becoming an athlete are certainly qualities of business leaders.

A positive attitude, enthusiasm, and high energy are traits that are keys to successful business careers.

I found the following article that provides some good advice for individuals lacking work experience: “How do I get a job when I have no relevant experience?”    

http://lifehacker.com/5720706/how-do-i-get-a-job-when-i-have-no-relevant-experience

Please post a comment or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com your suggestions on getting a job with minimum relevant experience.

Thanks, Glyn

Interviewing Tips and Suggestions

 

Since my wife and I have four grandchildren graduating from colleges this  year, I thought that it may be helpful to provide all graduating individuals some websites that may prove helpful as they are being interviewed by potential employers.

My personal suggestions are:

1.   Research the organization’s website and become familiar with its products and services

2.   Focus your resume of the terms included in the organization’s employment listings

3.   Dress in business attire

4.   Maintain a positive attitude and sincere interest in the opportunity

5.   Look the interviewer in eye

6.   Ask relevant questions

7.   Prepare a 60 second opening statement expressing why you are interested in the organization and why your experience and background seems to be a match

8.   Follow-up the interview with a letter of thanks to the interviewer or perhaps an email.

Below are the websites that I found which may provide helpful interviewing ideas:

Interview Tips and Advice http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/interviews/a/jobinterviewtip.htm

 

10 Job Interview Tips From A CEO Headhunterhttp://www.fastcompany.com/1839723/10-job-interview-tips-ceo-headhunter

99 Interview Tips That Will Actually Help You Get a Job

by James Clear

http://passivepanda.com/interview-tips

Tips for Success – The Interview

http://www.worksmart.ca.gov/tips_interview.html

Below are questions you may be asked in the interview

http://www.careercc.com/interv3.shtml#may be asked

Tell me about yourself? (try to hold your response to 2 minutes)

What do you know about our company?

Why should we hire you?

What can you do for us that someone else can't?

What do you look for in a job?

What skills and qualifications are essential for success in the position of ______?

How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?

How does this assignment fit into your overall career plan?

Describe your management style.

What do you believe is the most difficult part of being a supervisor of people?

Why are you looking for a new career?

How would your colleagues describe you?

How would your boss describe you?

How would you describe yourself?

What do you think of your present or past boss?

What were the five most significant accomplishments in your last assignment?

What were the five most significant accomplishments in your career so far?

Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?

How much do you expect if we offer you this position?

Why do you want to work for us?

What other positions are you considering?

Have you kept up in your field with additional training?

What are your career goals?

What are your strong points?

What are your weak points?

How did you do in school?

What position do you expect to have in 2 to 5 years?

If you took the job what would you accomplish in the first year?

What was wrong with your current or last position?

What kind of hours are you used to working or would like to work?

Do you have your reference list with you? (Remember don't give it out unless it is asked for).

Can you explain your salary history?

What questions didn't I ask that you expected?

Do you have any question for me? (See Questions for the Interviewer that you might want to ask below).

Below are questions you may want to ask the Interviewer

1. Why is this position open?
2. How often has it been filled in the past five years? What were the main reasons?
3. What would you like done differently by the next person who fills this position?
4. What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?
5. What is most pressing? What would you like to have done in the next 3 months.
6. What are some of the long term objectives you would like to see completed?
7. What are some of the more difficult problems one would have to face in this position?
8. How do you think these could best be handled?
9. What type of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances. etc?
10. What freedom would I have in determining my own work objectives, deadlines, and methods of measurement?
11. What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this position, and within what time frame?
12. In what ways has this organization been most successful in terms of products and services over the years?
13. What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?
14. How is one evaluated in this position?
15. What accounts for success within the company?

There many sites that provide interviewing suggestions; I have only listed a sample of them.  Please post a comment or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com or simply pass the links along to someone preparing for an employment interview.

Thanks, Glyn