cathyf's blog

Few of us escape some stress in life. Most of us have experienced challenges that cause us lack of sleep or other repercussions. Pinched finances loom until the blood pounds in our ears. Life feels out of control because bills and family needs are piling up.

Enter a fabulous opportunity to explore a new realm: the realm of temporary employment.

One reason for working is life. People work to create the best life possible for their families and future. Employers who understand this concept are wise to embrace and encourage a well-rounded individual, one who has varied interests and experience, because happy workers have staying power on the job. Plus, everyone reaps rewards of higher productivity.

Yesterday I spoke with an individual who had spent the last 20 years of his career in banking with the same company. He is now looking for a job and wanted some counseling on resume presentation. I told him he needed to look at the skill sets acquired in the various positions he held and highlight those. He needs to “paint a picture” of who he is as a potential employee rather than a list of various duties that apply mostly to the banking industry.

I get asked on a regular basis, “How important is a cover letter?” In my opinion it is of no use if it is a form letter that you send to every job posting you identify. This simply conveys that you are not creative and are applying for every position available.

On the other hand, a well-written cover letter focused on a specific job listing can be a very effective marketing tool. It should be brief and direct, tailored to the position and the firm you are targeting. If possible, address it to a specific person by name and position.

A friend sent me an article today as a “gentle” nudge to write a blog! The article is about strengthening your interview questions and making a lasting impression on the interviewer. The article was from Inc.com, written by Jeff Haden. Haden provided 5 questions great candidates ask. I think they are good questions, but I am not suggesting you need to utilize all of them in an interview. I am suggesting that in today’s market, anytime you get an opportunity to interview you need to be prepared to ask as well as to answer.

The five questions were:

June 6, 2012

Today I read a timely article by John Coleman in the June 5 Harvard Business Review. The article addressed recent college grads starting their first career positions. Statistically, one in two new college graduates are unemployed or underemployed. If you are one of the lucky ones starting a new position, you should turn the opportunity into an incredible learning experience and a stepping stone for your long-term career.

May 16, 2012

March 29, 2012

Yesterday was a wild and crazy day with two staff members out... I know, not well planned. In that craziness I did have time to read a recent article that was in the Harvard Business Review titled “The Magic of Doing One Thing at a Time.” I am not sure why I chose to read it yesterday, but I believe it was written to me! 

December 30, 2011

As I reflect on the New Year I am sensing an attitude of anticipation.  On the radio just prior to Christmas, the talk show hosts were discussing the “layaway angels” and they stated that they were sensing a need in people for some positive outcomes.  Their callers had many examples of people “paying it forward.”  It was such fun to hear those stories and to hear some optimism from the general public.  

November 28, 2011

Yesterday in the Wall Street Journal there was an article about “why companies aren’t getting the employees they need” written by Peter Cappelli.  It summarized for me the reason we struggle with many of our job placements. Even with unemployment so high, companies are grousing that they can’t find skilled workers, and that filling a job can take months of hunting.

There are a variety of reasons why this phenomenon is occurring, but this article added a new reason to the list…..the employers themselves!