Slow economy brings lots of job hunting questions

911

Headlines don’t mean much unless they affect us. So it’s no surprise that my email these days is coming from the people behind the headlines—the people being laid off. Here are some of the commonly asked questions:

Dear Joan:
I have been job searching and have found some jobs that are of interest to me. Upon calling the company for an interview, or sending my resume, I have found out that I am responding to a staffing agency. In the last three weeks, I have come upon about six job listings like this. How many staffing agencies should you work with?

Answer:
There is no limit to the number of agencies you work with, however, I suspect that some will take more initiative on your behalf than others, and as a result you will partner with them more closely. Many companies are using staffing agencies as a way to extend their recruiting reach. In addition, with companies downsizing the Human Resources area, staffing or human resources companies are often the outsourced equivalent. They may interview you, run a background check, do a drug test and set up the physical exam. When you are dealing with an agency, they are acting as the representative of the company, so be as professional as you would with the company itself.

Dear Joan:
I was laid off due to lack of work at the end of April. What are your thoughts on being unemployed for over 30 days? Is this looked at negatively by employers? Please tell me what to say to potential employers.

Answer:
Since hundreds of thousands of employees are being laid off around the country, there isn’t much of a stigma to overcome. However, you still need to answer an employer’s concerns about your work history, work ethic and record of results. The reality is that some companies use “downsizing for economic reasons” as an excuse to get rid of poor performers they didn’t have the guts to confront. If you can say that your department was eliminated or 20 percent of the workforce was eliminated, it will help the interviewer see that it was indeed a business decision and not just you.

On your cover letters and in interviews, keep a positive attitude and state that the company downsized due to the slowing economy. A 30-day gap isn’t very long, however, you may look more attractive if you are doing some project work or part-time work in your field (and pay some bills).

Dear Joan:
My sister recently gave a written two-week notice to her place of employment. Four days after she did so, she was told that this day was her last day, even though she had five more business days to work on her two week notice. Is her company required to pay her for the other week?

Answer:
Most companies do pay employees for the duration of their notice period. However, if they choose not to, it’s not required, according to Jennifer Walther, an attorney with Buchanan and Barry, Milwaukee. Some company handbooks or policies state that they will pay the employee during this time, so she should check company policy. If your sister isn’t paid for this time, she has the right to file a claim for unemployment for that week.

Dear Joan:
I graduated in December of 2000. But I still haven’t found a job, even though I got a high GPA and graduated with honors. I didn’t have my internship before graduation. The employers don’t like people without experience. A minimum of two or three years of experience is usually required. I tried to apply for an internship in order to get some experience but they only accept students who haven’t graduated. I seem to be excluded from the job market. What should I do?

Answer:
Without knowing your field, here is some general advice. You may have more luck applying for jobs that will get your foot in the door, rather than looking for the “ideal” job. In other words, if you have a marketing degree, be willing to accept a job as an administrative assistant in a marketing department. Once you’re in the job, offer to help on projects and pick up the slack for busy co-workers. In effect, you will be creating your own internship. Another important job hunting strategy is to network daily in your field. Ask everyone you know where they work and ask for names of people you could talk with to get advice about your resume and job-hunting approach. And don’t overlook the Internet as a tool. Job boards have many jobs posted and allow you to apply online.

Savvy Negotiation Strategies to Get Paid What You’re Worth on a New Job (Detailed, 8-page PDF by email – no shipping charge)
Easy, Step-by-step Guide to Using the Internet to Land a Great Job (Detailed, 10-page PDF by email  – no shipping charge)
The Resume That Opens the Door and the Interview That Gets the Job (Detailed, 37-page PDF by email – no shipping charge)