Tag Archives: edd

How A Temp Position Can Build Your Career

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Whether you are the lone temp, or working with other temps, temporary work is a hub for opportunities and conversation.

More often than people realize, a temporary opportunity turns into a fantastic long term career. When you are working in a company on a contract, you should look at the position as a working interview for future opportunities.  Those opportunities don’t necessarily always come from the company your at but by word of mouth.

I can honestly say, while I own my successes, word of mouth is what gave me the initial chance to prove myself. I didn’t come in with a specific skill set, I came in with great recommendations on other projects and learned as I went. People gave me the opportunity to grow my skills because of what they had heard about my work ethic, personality, networking abilities, etc.  I know that I am not unique.  You can turn a ho-hum position into a life long journey of successes as well, if you want.

What I suggest ::

1.  Get to know everyone in the company, and let them get to know you. What are their career goals? Where did they come from? How long have they been with ‘said’ company?  What other companies have they worked for?

2.  Work your tail off and show how committed you are.  You don’t have to be committed to a company necessarily ..but you do have to be committed to doing a great job on the assignment – to the end.

3.  Show interest for more. Get involved in networking events. This may take a bit of your free time but it will pay off.  Everyone knows someone who knows someone.  Get out there and meet those 2nd and 3rd connections.

4.  Finally, connect to all of your temporary co-workers on LinkedIn.  Request recommendations from them. Keep in touch with them long after your assignment.  As your career develops, so will theirs.  Those contacts may pay off big in 5 years.

Bottom line?  Take advantage of every opportunity that you are given.  Nothing is minimal unless you insist it to be.  The opportunities are out there and the time is yours.  Do as I did/do…. OWN IT!!!

Are You Suffering From ‘Job Seeker’ Terminal Uniqueness?

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As I have been hosting Social Media workshops for job seekers, it’s become very obvious to me that there’s a consistent issue holding some back from achieving any type of progress.

Terminal Uniqueness…. 

What is Terminal Uniqueness? The most basic of the definitions is a person’s belief that he is so unique that the usual rules do not apply to him. Those who fit the definition generally tend to be prideful or ego-driven.

Terminal uniqueness is said to hold a person back from making the progress he needs to improve his life. In an artificially elevated or degraded position, he believes that the advice others give him cannot possibly apply to him.

It seems that, unfortunately, many people have been so beat down by their employment search that they believe nothing will promote them into achieving their goals. It’s almost like, no matter what type of advice I give, simplistic or involved, they feel they are incapable of preforming. The advice simply does not apply to them because they are so different.

At this point, after seeing this so many times, I really wish I could convince people to take my suggestions and simply… give them a try. After all, they are participating in trainings because they feel they have more to learn. Continue reading →

Hey, I’m-Taking-A-Break-Because-I’m-On-Unemployment-Guy… WAKE UP!

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Are you unemployed and collecting unemployment benefits? If you just answered “yes”, pay attention.

I understand your views of not taking on a position that pays less than your benefits. Sure, I truly get it. Why work and exhaust yourself if the government will pay you more to watch Oprah.

If you plan on taking a break from working to sit around, hang with family, see the sites… you’re in for a rude awakening.

Bottom line:: While you’re sitting around, enjoying that weekly check, your colleagues are getting smarter and stronger.  You will very quickly become last choice over someone that has been hustling and pushing forward. They’re skills are more current, they’re more aware of the industry’s latest and greatest news and quite frankly, they have momentum. You know, that special sauce to success.

Continue reading →

September Employment Is Up!

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Each month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases monthly employment estimates for over 1,000 industries from its Current Employment Statistics program. The program includes data from two surveys, one of individual households and one of business establishments. Data from the household survey are used to derive the monthly unemployment rate, while the business establishment survey, which ASA tracks, estimates industry employment levels. These employment data are considered indicators of current economic trends.

Employment Situation

October 07, 2011
Non-farm payroll employment edged up by 103,000 in September, and the unemployment rate held at 9.1 percent. The increase in employment partially reflected the return to payrolls of about 45,000 telecommunications workers who had been on strike in August. More…
(HTML) (PDF)

Current CES Economic News Releases

  • Employment Situation Summary (HTML) (PDF)
  • Commissioner’s Statement on the Employment Situation (HTML) (PDF)
  • Current Employment Statistics Highlights, Monthly — a package of charts and analysis featuring the latest industry employment numbers (PDF)
  • Real Earnings (HTML) (PDF)
  • Strike Report
  • Subscribe to the BLS News Service– receive The Employment Situation and Real Earnings news releases by e-mail.
  • UPDATED Upcoming Release Dates through 2011.

Courtesy of American Staffing Association and Bureau of Labor