Job Change in Your Plans?

The Philadelphia Daily Newspaper published an article which applies to anyone looking for a job.  I was happy to help collaborate with Jenice on this important topic. 

By Jenice Armstrong
Philadelphia Daily News

Daily News Columnist

FEARFUL OF all of the economic uncertainty of the last several years, many workers have been quietly biding their time.

I mean, you could daydream about trading jobs all you wanted to but for many of us, the question was: Where to go? It’s been an employers’ market – not the other way around.

When you talk with employment experts, the message you often get is that you should be happy to just be working. When I chatted with Philadelphia-based workplace legal expert Robin Bond yesterday, she suggested that disgruntled employees should try to “investigate ways to make the place better.”

In other words, sit tight. “Just be present. Be aware,” she said. The answer isn’t always to leave a job you don’t like, even if you are being overworked because your company laid off too many colleagues or you are filling in for people who left voluntarily but were never replaced.

At least you aren’t on unemployment or completely tapped out financially.

But there’s only so long that employers can get away with harboring a discontented work force.

With the economy showing glimmers of improvement, it’s payback time – or that’s what many workers are hoping.

A new survey by Manpower finds that a staggering 84 percent of workers hope to change jobs in 2011. That’s up dramatically from just a year ago when a similar sampling found that 60 percent of workers were hoping to find new gigs.

“A lot of people are tired of not feeling in control of their lives. They may have worked for years and all of sudden they don’t have a job,” said Patrice Rice, founder of Patrice & Associates and author of “How To Interview.”

“I think people are reevaluating their career choices so they can have some control over their lives.

“A lot of people are taking their 401ks and opening up their own businesses.

“I talked to one guy who had a human resources background,” Rice continued. “He said to his friend, ‘Who do you know in human resources who has retired of their own free will?’ The days of feeling comfortable and that you are going to be with a company for 20 to 30 years and have your retirement benefits are gone. Unless you work for the federal government . . . it’s ridiculous.”

“People are trying to find ways to have control. Is someone younger or someone that will take less money coming into the company? And all of a sudden they won’t have a job. People are tired of being afraid.”

Many workers also are feeling, as the old saying goes, that they’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

“What people are actually experiencing is, ‘If I hang tight, I’m going to lose my job.’ There’s a sense of, ‘I need to be doing something different,’ ” said Steve Langerud, private workplace consultant (stevelangerud.com). “The grass is always greener.”

I’m not sure where all these folks who Manpower surveyed plan to find jobs, considering the unemployment rate is still hovering around 10 percent.

And even if they do manage to get different jobs, conditions at the new gig might not better. So, besides updating your resume and sending it to prospective employers, what are you supposed to do?

A piece of advice that I hear over and over is to look while you still have a job. And when you start mailing out resumes, don’t panic and send out hundreds.

“Of these 300 jobs, how many are realistic?” asked Paul Savedow, head of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s workplace department, which runs workshops on finding work.

“Are they realistically within your community distance? How many of these 300 jobs are really appropriate? In that sense, I don’t think a lot of people are as well versed in job seeking skills as they need to be . . . people tend to do the shotgun.”

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  • Chris Bousquet is Invaluable!

    I want to express my deepest gratitude for the support and guidance provided by Patrice & Associates during my job search. I was greatly impressed by the professionalism and commitment of your team in helping me find the right job opportunity.  In particular, I would like to highlight the invaluable assistance provided by Chris Bousquet, who stood by my side every step of the way in the search and interview process. His dedication and expertise were instrumental in achieving a successful transition to my new position.

     

    Once again, thank you for your assistance and commitment to my professional career. I wish you and the Patrice & Associates team continued success in your work.

     

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    To begin, Clint Carpenter was the ONLY recruiter I didn't get a generic template e-mail from. He actually took the time to look at my complete resume. In the first few days we spoke, he really took the time in our conversations to get to know what was important to me in a future job as well as what I knew I did not want. He checked in with me every day, whether it was to help coach me for an interview or just follow up if I'd gotten feedback. When I finally did get the offer I wanted, there was a snag and the paperwork with the company was delayed by 2 weeks. It was incredibly frustrating, but Clint called or texted me EVERY single day to encourage me and make sure I was ok as well as doing whatever he could from his end to help facilitate the paperwork. I never felt like I was alone in the job search process. Clint is professional, positive and you can tell he genuinely loves helping people. I would recommend him to anyone!!!!    

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    Clint Carpenter's standards of Recruiting are TOP NOTCH!
  • Dave took the time to get to know ME, who I am, my experience and my goals

    Dave Evens has been working with me these past couple months as I transition from a restaurant owner toward a corporate environment.  Along with this, I'm relocating from TN to NY.  I feel that he was able to capture my unique experience in the updated resume he created for me.  Dave was great with communicating options and feedback from all sources. It was a true pleasure to work with him.  While we were unable to find a good fit for me, I am blown away by Dave's approach and enthusiasm.  I found a great job, on my own, but I do not feel that reflects poorly on Dave nor Patrice & Associates. When, again, I enter my next job search, I will be sure to reach out to Dave first!

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    Dave took the time to get to know ME, who I am, my experience and my goals
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    I honestly didn't know what to expect from Patrice & Associates. Upon my first time speaking with Mr. Mike Buterbaugh, I was instantly put at ease with his genuine approach to helping me find the best fit for me overall in my next career decision. Not only did he coach me on how to drastically improve my resume, he also had me an interview within a couple of days. I have never had an experience quite like this during a job search, but I would definitely give 5 stars to this company and their recruiting team. I have gained a new career that not only met my salary expectations, but balances with my personal life as well. Thanks again for your help, and although I don't plan to be on a search again, if the need arises, they will definitely be my first point of contact.

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    Mike Buterbaugh is genuine and caring
  • Patrice & Associates Video Client TestimonialsClint Carpenter was wonderful!

    I worked with Clint Carpenter on getting a job. Clint did an amazing job helping me with my resume, walking me through the process and giving me help and interview tips.  He was in communication with me everyday about what was going on and keeping me in the know. I would call on Clint again if I ever needed him!  

    Gary Summers

    Clint Carpenter was wonderful!