Tool Kit Blog
Need help finding a good job?
Here is a brief excerpt from my book that can help you find a job sooner in this economy. I will send a free copy to the first 10 people that email me a problem they are having during interviews. Enjoy! In my time at Momentum, I have had the chance to interview people who make anywhere from...continue reading
The job market is weird
When you have the opportunity to work with so many different companies and a large number of job seekers, you can really spot trends in the market. Recently my copies of The Kiplinger Letter have backed my theories on employment today. 1- Job growth is great if you have little skills and can live on 10 bucks and hour....continue reading
Do happy workers mean higher company profits?
Well YES. In the story link below by USA Today there is a pretty good argument for being less of an ass in the workplace. Since many employees, upwards of 75% , would look at moving companies, this can be a trying time for employers. Just as your business recovers, you may have to replace your best workers. ...continue reading
Phone interview checklist
Below is an excerpt from our book listed on this site. Many people fail to prepare for these interviews and blow their chance at landing the job. Follow these guidelines and see if your luck improves. Pre select a quiet place. You have no idea how screaming kids or the TV can mess up your interview. Never, never, never...continue reading
Why are so many unemployed? Because most deserve to be.
On the face of the title you are going to think this is pretty harsh. Over the years I have complained loudly that few job seekers can even follow simple directions to actually get an interview. They concentrate on the “gun-slinging” of resumes and think that this is the way to a new job. Today I will illustrate below...continue reading
New business model for hourly workers?
I don’t know if you have been paying attention but some very big companies are not going to participate in Obamacare, meaning, they are going to pay the penalty and reduce hours for folks in order to cut costs. (the penalty is cheaper too)That should be no surprise to anyone that took Econ 101 in high school. Companies pass...continue reading
Ideas for the Workplace 2013
The year is almost over, a major election just concluded, and our legislative branch will be busy formulating policy for the New Year and beyond. We have spent many sleepless nights trying to figure out which strategies will be the best going forward to assist our customers and prospects meet their employment needs. Regardless of your party affiliation, the...continue reading
IS THE LUNCH BREAK EXTINCT??
A recent article in Forbes Magazine outlined some items you should be doing on your lunch hour. Including..actually eating lunch. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2012/09/17/14-things-you-should-do-during-your-lunch-break/ . We have all had issues with time and the boss assigning work that cause us to miss lunch. Unfortunately, this hurts the productivity of everyone involved. That real break time should be something that refreshes the brain,...continue reading
LinkedIn Unveiled. Guest post by Krista Morris of Virtuoso Resumes
If you have read some of my comments before, you know I am a big fan of LinkedIn. Not just for job searching but for building a network that someday may provide your next opportunity. Please take a look at the new changes your profile will be going through real soon. If you need help with resumes, please make...continue reading
Time to start eliminating long-term unemployment benefits..again?
I am recycling some of my older posts that really seem relevant today. Based on the amount of people on welfare as of today, this really is more relevant than ever. Originally posted December 9th, 2011 Since buying my staffing company over 8 years ago, I have had a unique vantage point to observe our fractured job market. I...continue reading
Do you find people at networking events avoiding you?
It is a common problem. Since I generally can be annoying anytime, I thought I might provide some insight into why folks might be avoiding you. Here are some shotgun observations: 1- Are you a “boob looker”? yes…you stare at women’s boobs when you talk to them. If that is the first thing you look at when you...continue reading
Is it hard to find qualified workers for your company?
A recent column from the the Publisher of The Phoenix Business Journal, Don Henninger, mentioned that a survey his publication does listed it as 82% of respondents. This is an item that I have seen first hand in our business. Imagine if the economy was really humming? Politics aside it is really difficult to find good talent in this...continue reading
Why we are not creating enough jobs?
After a couple weeks of expensive political party cheer leading and BS speeches, we are still stuck in a rut as regards to jobs. Sorry, but from my seat, the current direction will continue to produce anemic results with more folks having to go on the Government teet. You can’t argue with numbers..they don’t lie. Unfortunately, economic growth is...continue reading
Why are Arizona companies sitting on a pile of cash?
The article today in The Arizona Republic, written by Russ Wiles, (see link below) says these companies have about 16 Billion in cash in case of another downturn. Let us take it a step further..the business community has no faith in the current leadership of this country AND does not know of the exact cost the Obamacare mandate will...continue reading
HOW DO THE HOMELESS FIND JOBS? St JOE THE WORKER!
Since I don’t really work in this space, I decided to go and visit St. Joseph the Worker ( www.sjwjobs.org) after a friend told me about the service. This is a non-profit staffing company for the indigent and homeless population of Phoenix. They offer job search, resume help, clothes and basic toiletries to help folks get back on their...continue reading
Are you prepared to interview (LIST)?
Be Prepared Be 15 minutes early for your interview. Be prepared to wait. Turn your cell phone off! Have your resume available. Are you ready to answer questions? i. Find someone to conduct a mock interview for you. ii. Know your answers to commonly asked questions. Tell me about yourself? What is your 5-year plan? Why would...continue reading
Prepare for the Interview- Dress
Dress for Success Make sure that your attire is appropriate for the position. Be mindful of the jewelry and accessories you wear. Three pounds of gold around your neck and a baseball cap on your head is not professional! Perfume/Cologne- Keep it minimal if any at all. Remember that people can be sensitive toward strong scents, especially in small,...continue reading
Three People to Fire Immediately…Are You One of Them?
A recent article in Bloomberg mentioned three people to fire immediately (link below). They are talking to owners and managers but you should take stock to see if you have a target on your back. I have worked with a lot of the folks they mention in this article. You know the kind. A coworker that is a pain...continue reading
Spending habits of the consumer have changed forever.
So at lunch today, me and a few friends were discussing how we have changed as consumers, during the economic downturn. I was talking about cancelling a vacation, and buying used cars. My friend was talking about not going on a big ski trip every year and just taking small trips to watch his kid play sports. Multiply that...continue reading
How will the new healthcare law impact the job market?
This is a tough question. Since most of the rules are still being written, we can only speak in general terms. Regardless of the debate on good vs bad you must now sit back and plan accordingly. I will outline a few blubs for the following: Employers: If you are under 50 employees, are you going to be looking...continue reading