Tips for Job Searching in Today’s Job Market

The job market is tricky right now. Employers see the unemployment rate and stick with the perception that qualified candidates are available for the choosing. Job seekers are suffering the old catch-22 similar to the very first time they ever searched for work: Must have experience, but unable to get experience without a foot in the door.

And the staffing industry gets to hear both sides of the story.

So what can prospecting candidates do to improve their chances of being selected?

Full Disclosure Critical When Searching for ‘A Few Good Men’

I remember it like it was yesterday. Col. Nathan Jessep sits scowling from the witness stand asking, “You want answers?” Lt. Kaffee answers defiantly, “I want the truth!” “You CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!” Awesome. Underdog Daniel Kaffee did the unthinkable. In that moment, an 11-year old me knew what he wanted to be when he grew up – an attorney. Almost immediately, I started practicing anyway I could. I gave my parents elaborate presentations that overwhelmingly proved why my bed time being pushed back from 8:30 to 9 p.m. would allow me to greater develop my social skills. I loved playing Devil’s advocate on topics I couldn’t care less about – successfully arguing why Alicia Silverstone was a better actress than Julia Roberts. I even went to college with my major set in Political Science. I was ready. Eventually, college taught me less about what I wanted to do and more about who I wanted to be. Two years into my major, I no longer wanted to be an attorney. The dream was over.

2011 Year in Review Video

 Why is C&A (Celebrity Staff) such a great place to work? Because of all of the fun and great times we have. Watch our 2011 Year in Review video! This video was shown during our 2011 Annual Awards Celebration.  

Risky Business

As a recruiter, I am in the business of helping people change. Whether it’s their choice or not, changing jobs can change a person, and certainly change a lifestyle. In my role, I have started to notice how most people will let their fears get the best of them. They settle with the cards they are dealt in life, rather than looking deeper into the different ways they can be played. People do like comfort, but comfort doesn’t always equate to success.

The Incredible Shrinking Candidate Pool

If you haven’t heard, the world’s population just surpassed 7 billion people. The national unemployment rate has also largely remained unchanged around 9.1% since July 2011. So it’s reasonable to conclude that you’ll continue to have an uninterrupted supply of great candidates for your positions, right? Unfortunately, no you can’t.

LinkedIn Success Stories

If you are skeptical about LinkedIn, or don’t know the best way to use it, here is a great article on how some professionals are getting the most out of LinkedIn.

Celebrity Staff Announces Q3 Employees of the Quarter

Congratulations to the Celebrity Staff Q3 Employees of the Quarter. Learn more about the winners, right here.

How the Rules for Dating Apply to Your Job Hunt

While talking with a candidate one day, I couldn’t help but be turned off by the words and actions they were displaying. I knew they were a good candidate for some of the positions we were working on, but everything they were saying and doing told me there was no way I could set them up to interview with my client. After my chat with them, I was reflecting on the day and realized how similar job hunting is to dating. You’re trying to put your best foot forward, not stumble over half your words or yourself, or spill a drink on yourself, all while trying to seem calm and collected.

PUSH or PULL Your Way to Success

Do you push or pull your employees? Let me explain what I mean by describing “pushers” and “pullers”.

Pushers use deadlines and required benchmarks to motivate employees. Pushers are vocal and provide feedback, but most often when things aren’t going well. They also tend to be very reactive when handling situations. Employees avoid interaction with Pushers as it usually means they have done something wrong. Pushers often give their employees the impression that their own success is more important than that of the company. This approach makes employees think that the bottom-line is all that matters.

C&A Debuts 2011 Community Video

C&A debuted its 2011 Community Video at our most recent leadership event. What a great way for Celebrity Staff employees to look back at all the amazing philanthropic endeavors achieved this year. Watch the 2011 Community Video.