Training for the Olympics

As I watch the 2014 Olympics from Sochi, I am amazed to see and hear about the hours and years of training the participants have devoted to their sport.  I wonder if job seekers devoted even a tenth of the effort that these athletics have, if the job seekers would be working today.

Training for a sport takes discipline and regimen to practice and participate in competitive events.  Disappointment is a frequent occurrence for these athletics; however, they immediately return to practice and pay attention to the corrective advice from coaches.  They are resilient and return prepared for the next competitive event.

I encourage all job seekers to consider the dedication to the task at hand just as the Olympians have.  I suggest that they review their objectives and develop a strategy to find meaningful employment. 

Further, you should remember to focus on the task and not be discouraged by minor set-backs.  Please remember, if an Olympian had quit after the first failure, he/she would never be standing on a podium receiving a medal.   

Readers of this blog who have successfully found employment are encouraged to share suggestions for job seekers by commenting in this blog or emailing me: glynjordan@gmail.com. 

Thanks!   Glyn

Construction Workers in Demand

An article in The Dallas Morning News, February 7, 2014, edition, “Construction laborers lost”, on page 1D by Steve Brown discusses the fact that many construction workers left the industry during the last construction downturn. 

With the construction rebound, there is a shortage of skilled construction workers such as carpenters, framers, welders, plumbers, and stonemasons. Many of the previously displaced workers have found other higher paying jobs and may be slow to return.  In addition, a large number of craftsmen are approaching retirement age.

It appears to me that this demand is a great opportunity for individuals seeking employment.  “The shortage is especially acute in markets such as Dallas and Houston.”  Job seekers could use the Internet to identify builders in their area.  Here are some suggested search arguments:

Builders in your location, e.g.:

 “home builders in Dallas”

“apartment  builders in Texas”

“commercial builders in Texas”

I suggest that Individuals with limited experience in building skills use the Internet to search for construction training programs and apprenticeships.

Readers of this blog are encouraged to share suggestions for individuals seeking employment in the construction industry with comments or by emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com. 

Thanks!   Glyn

Interviewing Techniques

This past weekend I had the opportunity to listen to the president of my granddaughter’s university discuss some differences between successful individuals and others.  One point that he made was the importance of making a good first impression.  

This speech got me thinking again about how essential it is to make a positive impression during a job interview.  As I was thinking about remarks, I returned to my book Getting Jobs by Glyn Jordan, and reread Section V – Interviewing Techniques.

 

Below are key topics for job seekers to review as they prepare for a job interview:

1.   Research the hiring organization and its advertised job openings

2.   Dress appropriately making and pay attention to proper hygiene

3.   Always remain positive in all your communications

4.   Be truthful in responses to questions while avoiding confessions of shortcomings

5.   Develop and practice a 30 second elevator speech summarizing who you are and the benefits you can provide the hiring organization

6.   Maintain qualified work and personal references

7.   Practice responses to typical interviewer questions including:

What are your greatest strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments, and failures?  Describe your best and worst boss.

I recognize that the first critical task is to land a job interview.  I encourage readers of this blog to share your advice with job seekers in getting the interview with your comments or by emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.

 

Thanks!   Glyn

The Importance of Networking

An article in the January 26, 2014, edition of The Dallas Morning News, “Professional-level job search benefits from networking”, on page 1J by Lindsey Novak of Creators Syndicate revisits the subject of networking as a job search strategy. Section III of my book, Getting Jobs by Glyn Jordan, contains several blogs with networking ideas for job seekers.

Novak’s article recommends tailoring cover letters for each prospective employer including specific reasons why you are right for the advertised position including why you would relocate if required. Further, the article suggests that you consider sending your cover letter and resume to the higher management in addition to human resources.  I am thinking that that advice is good only if you have some personal contact with higher management.  HR folks are very sensitive about individuals trying to go around them.

You should gather business cards of possible employers from friends, relatives and at social and professional organizational meetings.  Such cards become a treasure trove which will be a valuable resource for job search activities.

     

I encourage readers of this blog to share your advice with job seekers with your comments or by emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.

 

Thanks!   Glyn

The Future of Jobs

Recently I received a mailing from United Airlines which indicated that I had some miles credit I could use to subscribe to magazines.  Since we rarely use United in Dallas and we only had a few miles, I ordered a subscription to The Economist with its principal commercial office is in London.

The Economist January 18^th, 2014, edition had an article entitled “Coming to an office near you”, on page 9 which got my attention.  The article discusses the impact of technology and automation on the job market.  From my first days at IBM, I remember that we justified the purchase and installation of computing systems based on increased productivity and reduced labor costs.  This concept is still used today as organizations consider investments in capital equipment in general and productivity systems specifically.

What is the impact of such decisions on jobs?  As the article describes, many jobs are eliminated; however, other jobs are created.  There are many questions here; one of which is can the displaced workers be transferred to the new jobs.  My experience is that some can and cannot.  Many are able to grasp the requirements of the new jobs while others do not have the skills and desire to be training in new technologies and may become unemployed. 

What is the role of government to support those unemployed who are no longer able to find employment?  Will these unemployed be able to transition to careers that still need their skills and experience?

You may find this article informative and perhaps somewhat frightening.

http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21594298-effect-todays-technology-tomorrows-jobs-wi-be-immenseand-no-country-ready

Answers to these questions and others are complex.  I recommend that you take time to read this article and share your thoughts with readers of this blog or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com. 

Thanks!   Glyn

There Are Job Openings!

I was reviewing the “Jobs Section” of The Dallas Morning News in its January 12, 2014, edition and found several opportunities for job seekers.   I do not know if Dallas is typical of other cities, but if it is, there are many jobs opening available today with a varying range of job requirements.

Here are some examples of job ads listed in this edition of the News:

1.   Teaching and educational positions in Saudi Arabia

2.   Truck drivers wanted

3.   Reservationist, customer care coordinator, guest experience specialists for a national hotel chain

4.   Door to door sales positions

5.   Real estate sales personnel

6.   Maintenance /mechanics/electricians

7.   Order pickers

8.   Career Expos

9.   Career training educational opportunities

10.     Many jobs openings for various vocations posted by Monster

Perhaps these jobs are not attractive to most job seekers; however, I think that they are indicators that there are jobs available.  I am encouraged that our economy appears to be generating job openings.  Unemployed may be able to find an interim job while continuing to seek the “perfect job”

Please comment on your opinion of the present job market in this blog or emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.

 

Thanks!   Glyn

Job Assistance by State

Almost all states have Internet sites that contain job listings and job assistance ideas for job seekers.  I have listed below the Internet addresses for several states:   

http://www.arizonaworkforceconnection.com/resources/jobseekers.asp  Arizona

https://www.caljobs.ca.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx California

http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/gendocs/js-workers.html  Connecticut

http://www.floridajobs.org/ Florida

http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=10  Florida

http://www.in.gov/spd/2333.htm  Indiana

http://www.dllr.state.md.us/county/ Maryland

http://www.mass.gov/portal/jobs-education/  Massachusetts

http://mn.gov/deed/  Minnesota

http://labor.ny.gov/careerservices/careerservicesindex.shtm New York

http://www.nd.gov/category.htm?id=95   North Dakota

http://www.library.ohio.gov/toughtimes/employment  Ohio

http://www.oregon.gov/EMPLOY/pages/index.aspx Oregon

http://www.tennessee.gov/labor-wfd/cc/   Tennessee

www.workintexas.com  Texas

http://jobs.virginia.gov/  Virginia

http://dva.state.wi.us/Ben-employment.asp  Wisconsin

http://www.wyomingworkforce.org/Pages/default.aspx  Wyoming

If you find these links helpful, please let me know by commenting in this blog or emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.  If there is interest among blog readers, I will post links to all 50 states in a subsequent blog.   

Thanks!   Glyn