cathyf's blog

I have been attempting to learn the game of golf. I have worked hard on the game, taking lessons, practicing and actually playing. The last several times I have played I have not done well, and I really began to lose confidence in my ability or desire to ever learn the game. Well…Wednesday night I had a golf lesson and my instructor -- who happens to be incredible -- corrected my swing and really worked with me, and she was able to give me back my confidence. I am looking forward to getting out on the golf course this weekend!

Yesterday afternoon I received an email that included the text for Dr. John Welty’s speech to the fall faculty at California State University, Fresno. Though there are many challenges facing the university because of California’s budget situation, I was so impressed by the incredible opportunities being presented to the students and to our community. Since this is the Centennial year for the college, he reflected on the early days and many of the accomplishments over the years. Did you know that the Fresno State family can claim three Pulitzer Prize winners?

I just got off the phone with a candidate who would not accept a temporary assignment because she was on unemployment. The sad thing is, I do understand. She needs to work, but unemployment makes it so complicated that it penalizes individuals for trying to work. Now that unemployment insurance may begin expiring, these individuals will need to start seriously looking for work. What I wonder is -- how do you explain to potential employers what you have been doing for the past six-plus months?

As I look back over the past week it has been unusually chaotic -- and I was wondering if that translates to business picking up…I am always looking for a positive sign that things are improving! As I reviewed the Wall Street Journal this morning there was an article in the business section reporting that “Sales Gains Remain Elusive at Staffing Firms.” The article states “Results from job-staffing and services companies indicate healing in the labor market, but a rebound based on new job creation remains in the future.”

It was a great day Wednesday… A client made a well-planned hiring decision! Now, we are in the staffing business and you would think that would happen on a regular basis. But in this current economic environment employers are being so cautious that many are missing excellent hiring opportunities. Some are asking to see numerous candidates rather then trusting the process they have set in place with us. They are sending a message to the candidates that is very confusing; then the candidates begin to second guess the work environment, because the employer delays the hiring process for so long.

Next week we will be celebrating our 18^th year in business! That made me start reminiscing yesterday, and I decided to look at office photos from the past. We had a receptionist, when we first opened, that methodically kept photo albums with all the events of our first several years…so I had many to look at and much to remember! (See some of our photos on Facebook.)

I interviewed an individual yesterday who had been laid off her job. Instead of looking at it as a negative, though, she decided it was an opportunity to follow her dreams. She has had the dream of being a “retreat consultant” and decided to get a master’s degree and start working toward that future. Now, as she attends night school, she is wanting and willing to do any type of temporary work that will help support her goal.

Many individuals are hopeful that 2010 will bring better employment opportunities. Daily, I talk to people with degrees and no job opportunities in their field of study. The people who are successfully making the transfer from one career or job to another are very effectively marketing their “transferable” job skills.

And the phone is ringing. Not with clients looking for new employees, but with employees looking for new opportunities! As I’ve talked to candidates, several are eager to move on. Many have at the top of their resolution lists to start investigating new opportunities.

Recently in the Fresno Bee was an article by Diane Stafford about the importance of employers having strong retention programs in place. According to her article “recent surveys have found that 40% to 60% of employees intend to look for new opportunities as soon as the job market improves, possibly next year.”

Today I read an article in the Wall Street Journal about living our lives offline…rather than online. It talked about our reliance on technology for our social contacts rather than just meeting people in, say, the grocery store line…

I went to a “spin” class at my local gym this morning at 5:30 a.m. There are varied conversations going on between the attendees prior to the start of class, but there are those who do not interact with anyone because they are on their BlackBerries. I really didn’t give it much thought until I read this article.