Let’s say that you are an individual who is either out of work and desperate to get back into the workforce or just plain sick of your current job and want something that is a better fit for your personality. You have talked to friends and family, you have read career advice pieces on Monster and the like, you have lain awake at 3:00 am trying your best to think of what to do, while also trying to tamp down the fear and insecurity demons. However, you start each day pretty much in the same unsatisfied and unfulfilled place. Finally, you decide that you need some help. The big question of course is, where do you turn for help?
I had a useful and stimulating conversation with a New Hampshire staffing and recruiting expert recently and we found ourselves fleshing out what could be considered a comprehensive career development service. We were discussing this in the context of outplacement, the practice whereby an employer offers job search assistance to laid off employees, but I think the basic concept can apply to any of you in the situation described above. This total career package would consist of two basic parts, one a personalized career direction builder, and two an effective staffing service that places you in an appropriate position based on your work in the first part. Let’s look at some details:
As I mentioned in last week’s blog I have been struck recently as to how vague and non-targeted many job seekers can be in searching for work despite this being a time when competition is fierce, and you must be ready to present yourself in the best possible light. Therefore, the first part of this total career package is designed to delve deeply into a self-assessment out of which emerges a confident and purposeful job candidate. This requires you to honestly explore your most dominant personality traits, strengths and weaknesses, and to analyze successes and failures from past work or education experiences.
If done with a competent career professional, who you trust to have your welfare as their chief priority, then you are prepared to construct the essentials that you need to enter the job search fray, such as a polished elevator pitch, a rich and pointed resume, confidently delivered cover letters, and the poise that comes from knowing exactly who you are and what you want.
So, you’re ready to slay a dragon. Now what? Here’s where a great staffing agency comes in. Their job is to make the actual fit by matching you with real positions that they know are available. In trying to satisfy their organizational clients with the best possible candidates, recruiters complete the total career package by placing well understood candidates with openings that satisfy all stakeholders, the proverbial win-win.
The staffer picks up where the coach leaves off. They complete painting the candidate picture with an efficient skill assessment and then facilitate opportunities for employers and potential employees to evaluate each other. If necessary, they may even offer some needed training to better prepare the candidate for the positions that are available.
Imagine having career assistance that covers both areas, customized development and competent staffing. You know you need an edge and a purposeful approach to succeed at getting that right job for this time. A total career package may be just what you need.
