“Companies that provide temporary labor are seeing more contract workers hired as permanent employees…” -Reuters

Sometimes there is a negative connotation associated with a “Temporary Assignment”.  It’s definitely not considered ”sexy” when somebody asks you “So, what do you do?” and you respond, “Oh I’m a temp…”  But I think that sentiment will begin to change in 2012 and this is why.

Obviously, the US economy has been in a recession and jobs have been very difficult to come by.  This is because companies do not have expendable income to invest in a bunch of new employees.  Each hiring decision must be considered very carefully, companies need to know that they are investing their money smartly.  Hiring an employee is expensive when you consider salary, benefits, paid vacation/sick days, commission, etc.  SO companies are beginning to turn to temporary labor to help them with their employment needs.  Some employees are hired on what’s called a “Temp to Hire” arrangement.  Meaning that you begin working with a company as a “Temp” for a trial period, usually a couple of months, and then the company will make a decision on whether or not they would like to bring you on as a permanent employee.  It allows the company to assess your skill set and make sure you are a good fit.  In other words, instead of reading your resume and trusting that you are capable of everything you claim…they are asking you to prove it.  You wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive, right?  In today’s unpredictable economy, money is tight.  It’s a smart way for companies to make sure they are getting what they pay for. 

I think it will become more and more common for company’s to adopt this strategy, and as a result it will be more and more common for people to say: “I’m working on a temporary assignment at the moment, and will hopefully be brought on full-time in the near future.”  If you are in the job market, there is no shame in accepting a temporary assignment.  Consider it a working interview, do your best and maybe you will be offered a full-time position.  Worst case, you gain experience and have something else to add to your resume…not too shabby!

-JG

So many skills that are learned and developed working in the food and beverage industry can be applied to almost any position. Former servers, bartenders, bus boys, etc…listen up!

1.  Communication-  Working in a restaurant requires you to be able to interact with a wide variety of people.  Particularly bartenders and servers.  It doesn’t matter if your table consists of the most miserable, needy people ever…you have to find a way to make them happy.  You have to be “on” at all times and not let any negative feedback get to you.  THAT is something that employers want in their employees.  The ability to remain optimistic and not lose your cool when a situation gets difficult. 

FOR EXAMPLE: Working at ABC Bistro I developed the ability to establish rapport with a diverse clientele.  Problem solver who addresses any issues quickly and efficiently, while treating customer with tact and respect.

2.  Multi-tasking- During a dinner rush, restaurant employees are constantly on the move.  Sometimes you could have up to 7 or 8 tables that all require your attention.  Table 3 needs their water glasses refilled, the toddler at table 7 wants ANOTHER Shirley Temple, you get the idea…Not to mention, the sidework must be completed.  Napkins must be folded, salt/pepper shakers filled, ketchup bottles stocked, it goes on and on.  And don’t forget that each credit card/cash transaction must be completed properly or else after your long shift you’re going to have to have a little “chat” with your manager.  The ability to balance all of these tasks simultaneously is invaluable, and it is a learned skill that you can absolutely add to your resume.

FOR EXAMPLE: Provided exceptional customer service in a fast-paced and demanding work environment.  Multi-tasker with the ability to calmly handle several assignments/tasks at once.

3.  Sales Experience- Restaurants constantly run specials, promotions, and expect their wait staff to be able to “up-sell” these items.  Usually there is a little speech that must be given to each table explaining what these specials are, how they are prepared, and how much they cost.  Most restaurants will expect this speech to be memorized and delivered with enthusiasm to every single customer.  This is sales experience!!!!!!!

FOR EXAMPLE: Consistently communicated and sold new and repeat customers on daily specials and promotions.  Up-sold particular menu items as directed by management.

4.  Stamina- Working food and bev requires an employee to be on their feet at all times.  Waiters are constantly going from table to table, back to the computer, running upstairs for supplies, stopping by the bar to pick up drinks, hunting down the chef for a complicated order, etc.  You are expected to remain active throughout your shift and never sit down.  Bartenders are behind the bar and usually do not leave for any reason, especially not to sit down and relax!  This also applies to bus boys.  These people are doing the heavy lifting, making sure the bars and server stations are stocked, moving tables, and whatever else may need an extra set of hands.  Employers like a candidate who is willing and used to working hard while at work.

FOR EXAMPLE: Maintained high energy level throughout shifts while providing attentive and quality service to all customers.

There are many other skills and qualifications that can be gained from working in the food and beverage industry.  And most if not all of them can be translated into a resume.  Remember, any work experience is good work experience!!!  You just have to get creative and look at what skills you learned from each job you’ve had.

-JG

There are several reasons to get rid of the ringback tone.  First of all, even if its your favorite song…everybody has different tastes.  So maybe you LOVE hard-core gangster rap…but the recruiter calling you may be 40 something and only listen to classic rock.  The curse words may offend that recruiter…not always, but sometimes.  Not to mention even if your ringback tone is your favorite song…you are not the one who has gets to listen to it so…(I will admit that there is a certain candidate with a certain Justin Bieber ringback tone that I have a habit of putting on speaker phone when I call her…you know who you are.)

Also, most ringback tones are not the best quality to begin with.  So it’s like listening to a poor recording playing on a static-y radio station.  Many, not all, but many recruiters/hiring managers probably just get confused when instead of the ring ring they are used to they hear the “Bootylicious” chorus playing over and over again.  And unfortunately, these are the people you are trying to impress.  Remember, the way you are perceived by the person doing the hiring is what matters…because they are the ones calling the shots. 

So my advice is to bite the bullet and lose the ringback tone.  Also it’s really easy to make a new email address with just your name in it…just saying

-JG

Employed?  NO, WHAT THE HECK IS THE DEAL?!

Job seekers, even if the above checklist does not quite exactly match up to your own path, chances are you can relate to this feeling of frustration.  You did everything right.  You got good grades, you got as much work experience as you could…and you still cannot seem to find that dream job you thought you were working toward all these years.  Well, lets flip the script a little bit.  Maybe we have it backwards.  Maybe the job needs to be able to find YOU.  And, no, I’m not suggesting you sit on your parents couch and tell them that your waiting for a job to “come to you”.  Let me explain…

When you apply for a job, you are not just competing against your peers.  You are competing against all currently unemployed people of various ages, experience, and backgrounds…as well as employed people who are looking for a new opportunity.  That’s a LOT of resumes.  The person doing the hiring needs to be able to find you amidst all of those other word documents…aka you need to STAND OUT from the crowd!  So, how do you do that? 

Many career experts today are suggesting that instead of scouring the Internet for particular job openings…try researching companies that you would like to work for.  Find a corporate culture that would be a good fit for your personality and then find out if they are hiring.  It’s important to remember that they might not be posting their open positions online.  In this case you need to be proactive and contact them.  Pick up the phone and call the office, try to get in touch with somebody in HR.  Get on Linked In and try to connect with a current employee, ask them for advice or maybe an introduction to somebody who could help you out.  If you are able to recognize and articulate to someone else why you are so passionate about working at a particular company…your energy and enthusiasm will give an excellent impression.

Say you manage to land an interview.  Prepare, prepare, prepare.  Do your research on the company.  Find out how they started, how long they have been around, where they hope to go in the future, and most importantly… how you are going to help them get there.  Go into your interview already prepared with some new ideas that you would want to bring to the table.  Read up on relevant industry news and information.  Be knowledgable about the company’s competitors and position in the market.

Another route that is becoming more and more popular is the concept of Guerrilla Marketing.  Guerrilla tactics are described as being unconventional, imaginative, and somewhat aggressive.  Something that makes an employer stop what they are doing and say “WOW”. Guerrilla tactics are what the young game changers out there are doing today.  Since they are by definition unique and innovative ideas…I cannot simply tell you how to do it.  However, I can give you some examples to get you thinking…

13 Insanely Cool Resumes That Landed Interviews at Google and Other Top Jobs

10 Guerrilla Job Search Tactics That Work from Ms. Career Girl

Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0: 1,001 Unconventional Tips, Tricks and Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job

Follow the above links for more information and ideas about how to market yourself Guerrilla style in your job search.  Good luck!!

-JG

It’s 1997.  I’m eight years old and its a Saturday morning…and I’m doing what every self-respecting elementary school kid should be doing.  Watching the Saturday morning cartoons line-up.  Everything is as it should be…Dad is outside washing the car…Mom is in the kitchen occasionally interrupting my hypnotic concentration of Looney Tunes with her incessant dish washing (at the wise age of 8 I know better than to say anything if I want her to take me to the pool later)…and I am posted up on the couch next to my brother, with my Pop-Tart and not a care in the world.  It is on this blissful Saturday morning when my brother and my ample school and real-world experience cause us to question for the first time the marketing ploys of our elders…

Really, Count Chocula?  Should you really be a part of our complete breakfast?

First of all…those “complete” breakfasts were a little ridiculous.  I mean, if you’re eating cereal why would you want an additional glass of milk next to your glass of fresh squeezed O.J.?  Just saying…

Fast forward 14 years and here I am at my first big girl job…and what do I see on the counter in the company kitchen?  COUNT CHOCULA.  Touché, General Mills.  Here at MJ Morgan Group we believe that a great day starts with a well-balanced breakfast.  So we embrace our different tastes and kick off every day with a delicious bowl of cereal.

Takes me back to the good old days, except now I have to do my own dishes…

-JG

Next up for MJ Morgan Group Athletics will be the Hawaii Marathon in December…keep up the good work guys!!!

Photo compliments of Morgan O’Leary

How can you be a great candidate?  It’s very simple!  Here are some tips:

1. Spend time updating your resume – Writing about yourself is difficult.  However, the more you review, update, and review again the easier it will be to create.  Your resume will reflect the time you spend on it.  Use keywords that stand out, include interesting detail about your positions but remember, you need to be brief.  Your resume should not be more than 3 pages, 2 is ideal depending on your experience.
2. When you ask a recruiter for help, make sure you help the recruiter in return – A recruiter only knows as much as you share with them.  Be honest when talking about yourself, what you put on your resume, and what you are looking for in your next job.  The more you share, the easier it will be for the recruiter to help you. 
3. Communicate – Maintain constant contact with your recruiter.  Your recruiter is working with many candidates at the same time so the more you communicate with him/her the better.  However, calling or emailing your recruiter every day can be counterproductive.  Let the recruiter do his/her job and follow up once a week with an email.
4. Be the best you can be at your interview – Let’s face it, interviews are tough!  However, with the proper tools and preparation the easier the interview will be…guaranteed!  Listen to your recruiter’s tips such as: dressing appropriately, researching the company and the position you are interviewing for, preparing a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer, answering challenging questions about yourself, knowing every detail that you included on your resume, following up with a thank you note or email. 

MJ Morgan Group prepares our candidates the best we can.  We provide resume tips, interview tips, and other tools to help you be successful.  Contact us to see how we can help you.  If you’re a company looking for talent please call us to see how we can assist you.  Thanks for reading! 

-B

Here’s to you recent college graduates! 

As a recent college grad myself…I know exactly how many of you are feeling.  And I’m not talking about the smug sense of accomplishment that goes along with that new addition to your wall decór.  (When my college diploma arrived in a cardboard cylinder tube my little sister exclaimed: “JULIE!!!  You got a new POSTER in the mail!”…)  I’m talking about the feeling that materializes after all of the graduation parties have been celebrated, and after all of the checks have been deposited and thank-you notes sent.  It’s difficult to describe but its something like excitement, fear, anticipation, and nausea.  I found myself avoiding family get togethers so that I would not have to answer the inevitable:  “So what are you doing now, Julie?”  Because I didn’t know, I had no idea what I wanted to do or what was the best path to take to get there. 

I consider myself very fortunate because I managed to find a job that I enjoy coming to every day.  I genuinely enjoy the people that I work with ( Cheers, guys).  But the point that I am trying to make is that its okay to not know.  Gone are they days when after graduation one started with a company and then 45 or so years later retired there.  Today young adults are expected to have quite a few different jobs throughout their career.  I work at a staffing agency, and one thing I have learned:

Every job is temporary.

This simple statement can take on a few different meanings.  Firstly, we cannot predict the future.  It is unwise to get too comfortable, no matter if you’re a first year intern or the CFO.  Not only is the economy unpredictable, but so is your company’s future and your personal life.  You never know what could happen. 

 (Just ask the shareholders of Netflix.  After a recent change in their product line, and a significant price increase, Netflix lost 1 million members and shares dropped 18%. )

Secondly, its important to learn from every work experience.  (This is directed at you, recent grads)  Let’s face it…we may not land our “dream job” right off the bat.  We may have to pay our dues for a couple of years, and that’s OKAY.  What’s imperative is to remember that every position we take is an opportunity to gain some new skills. 

Tip:  As a recent graduate, you have little to no experience.  Some may consider this to be a problem…WRONG.  This could be your biggest selling point.  Why?  Because you are a blank slate, you are open to new ideas and can adapt to almost any corporate culture.  Often times companies are specifically looking for young people because more seasoned candidates are already set in their ways.  The problem is their “ways” may be a little out of date.  Embrace your, for lack of a better word, naïveté.  In your interview express how you 1.  Have no baggage, 2.  Are willing to be molded, and 3.  Are full of energy and ideas…they’ll eat it up.

And lastly, remember to value yourself.  Granted, you may be young and inexperienced…and maybe not sure what the heck you’re doing half the time (ahem, cough cough).  But that doesn’t mean that you do not deserve respect.  If you find yourself in a situation where your company is not treating you fairly, or you are truly uncomfortable in your surroundings…don’t be afraid to walk away.  My Dad once told me something I’ll never forget.  After being in business for many years, he learned that it is inevitable that we make mistakes and bad judgement calls.  He also learned that you have to roll with the punches because life gives you a million chances.  As long as you learn from your mistakes and grow as a result, you’ll do alright.  So don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself, because you will be better for it…and another opportunity will present itself…you just have to keep your eyes open.

-JG

 WHO are you?  Your Resume.

 Updating your resume requires MORE than just rearranging the “Education” and “Employment” sections.  And it is more than just changing the font to a more personable “Georgia” instead of the standard Times New Roman.  Times have changed.  The first “person” to read your resume may not a person at all.  It could be a computer scanning a Word Doc for keywords.  It does not matter how qualified you are for a position; if you do not have the proper keywords in your resume you will not be noticed.  The best place to find appropriate keywords?  The Job Ad.  Scour that ad and make sure that your potential employer is finding what they are looking for in your resume very visibly.  Make it easy for them.  And, yes, this means that for each individual job you apply for you should be updating and rewording your resume.  I understand that this will be a little tedious…but I promise you it will be worth it.  Blindly sending out the same generic resume for every position you apply for makes you look just that…generic.

 WHAT are you selling?  Your Personal Brand.

I know that I have touched on this subject a couple of times now, but that is only because it is such an incredibly important issue!!  Alliterations aside, here is a checklist of key components to a successful Personal Brand:

1. An updated Linked In profile with all of your previous work history.  There are several tools available on Linked In, use them!  Ask previous employers for recommendations, have your Twitter account feed on your profile, and be sure to connect with as many people as possible
2. An appropriate Facebook page that lets your personality shine through.  Your Facebook page should show employers that you are a real person with real interests, and that you can balance those interests and a successful career which you outlined in your Linked In profile.
3. An active Twitter account, keyword ACTIVE.  This is perhaps your most engaging tool, because when used appropriately Twitter can allow you to have conversations with anybody in your industry.  Tweet early, Tweet often.
4. Another component to your Personal Brand is a blog.  You must assume that when you apply for a new job, they are going to Google you.  You have the ability to control what shows up when your name gets plugged into that search engine!  The top slots should be gushing with positive information.  A blog provides the perfect tool to express yourself and your opinions.  Once an employer checks out your blog with all of your good ideas and charismatic prose…they won’t be able to resist!

WHERE are you looking?  Your Network.

 Knowing where to look can be the most difficult part of the job search.  Skimming over the “Classified” section of the local newspaper is NOT going to cut it.  Blasting your generic resume to dozens of job postings found on popular online job boards is also not going to cut it.  As a recruiter I am constantly reading resumes for open positions that we have available.  It amazes me how many people apply for positions they are so obviously not a fit for.  If you are looking for an interview, you need to specifically target where you are sending your resume.  This is where your network comes into play, and when you realize how important developing your Personal Brand is.  Use the tools discussed previously to research companies and find out who is hiring.  Be an active job seeker, not a passive one.  Waiting by the phone is not going to get you anywhere.  GET OUT THERE and show them what you got.  Request an informational interview with your dream company so that you can make a possible connection there.  Attend networking functions in your area and then FOLLOW UP with whoever you met.  The more people you meet, the better your chances of landing an interview. 

 WHEN should you start looking?  Right NOW!

 You should view your job search as a full time job.  That is how much energy you should be putting into it.  And there is no better time to get serious than today, right now.  For the lucky ones out there, you never know what the future may hold for you, or for the company you work for.  That is why it is important to continue maintaining your network even after you land a job.  No pessimism intended, just realism. 

…and finally, WHY is all of this so important?

I think L’Oréal says it best…”Because you’re worth it!”   (Haha…couldn’t resist…)

Good luck out there everybody!!

-JG

Morgan and Julie repping their teams…this season is going to get interesting. 

It’s that time of the year again.

…when your best friend can become your greatest enemy…

…when Sunday Funday gets a little out of hand…

…and, of course, when you suck up to whoever you have to in order to land those company seats at the game.

Here’s to a great football season.