March Madness is upon us here at Berman Larson Kane (www.jobsbl.com). We are witnessing an influx of new orders for both temporary employees and direct hires.  What a welcoming change for business, for job-seekers and the beginning of a new season. 

This April 1 will be our 30th anniversary of Berman Larson Kane. We have witness many changes starting with bicycle messengers in 1980 to video interviews today.  So what has 30 years in business taught me? What lesson can I pass along to 30 years of helping employers and job seekers?

 Observation # 1 – Change is a Constant/ Predicting Change is a Crap Shoot
In 1980 when BLK started, resumes were typed and snail mailed. Bicycle messengers peddled from mid-town to down town with urgent resumes that needed to be delivered for next day interviews. I thought the fax machine was the greatest invention, only to have an exclusive life cycle of only about 3-5 years before email made faxing resumes obsolete. I thought the Internet job boards would never be able to deliver quality job applicants. Now we at BLK have our own job search and registration system. Were have all the programming jobs and programmers gone? Maybe Peter Paul and Mary had the answer “it’s blowing in the wind”.

 Observation # 2 – Values are the Foundation of Business/Life and Remain a Constant
Over the past 30 years our mission statement has adjusted, some years becoming longer and other years shorter. The type and mix of services is constantly adjusting at our clients and job seekers request. But the Value of offering “The Best Staffing Options” has always been the foundation of our Berman Larson Kane’s success. 

Observation # 3 – Providing Excellent Service is a Continuous Journey
I know that we offer a great staffing service. BLK is a group of experience; smart, dedicated employees looking to assist job seekers and employers with matching careers aspirations to jobs that need to be performed.  Our service is dedicated to making sure that both job seeker and employer are winners. How we accomplish this is a daily journey. Our previous experience is only one of the tools that make us who we are. Continuous learning is another part of the journey. Understanding and listening is a continuous process towards providing the “Best Staffing Options”. 

Good I love this Journey…. may it continue for at least another 30 years. Special thanks to all that have joined us and assisted us on this value driven, constantly changing and continuous journey. Berman Larson Kane https://www.jobsbl.com

While the unemployment rate remains high in the 10% range several signs point to new jobs being created in 2010.

 

For the past two years our country has consistently lost jobs month over month, with the most recent few months we are almost at a leveling point as the number of jobs shred drops to the low 5 figures from the high 6 figures.

 

Tomorrow’s employment announcement for the month of December should continue in this low range.  If we are surprised with a positive number it will be the first time in a long time that we created more jobs than we lost.  A good sign that we are stabilizing and have reach level ground.

 

Going forward I really believe that we will see some positive job growth during 2010 with the numbers by March reaching a positive low six-figure range.   If, all factors remain constant and we avoid a national meltdown confidence will return to the employment market.  As this confidence returns, sales will increase, housing will be restored and job creation will to accelerate.

 

From our marketing efforts here in our small micro-world at Berman Larson Kane (www.jobsbl.com) the majority of our clients are planning to increase staff during the first six months of 2010 although not at robust levels.  The really solid news is that a very small minority less than 2% of our clients is planning on shedding jobs over the next two quarters.

 

As this New Year begins to roll along I wish for a return too a day when jobs were plentiful and all that wanted to work could.  I think we are 4-5 years away from low unemployment numbers of below 5% … but for the moment I am happy that the shedding has ceased!

Thank you to all of those that participated in our webinar.  We at Berman Larson Kane www.jobsbl.com hope one small tip will assist you in securing new employment.  If you would like to view this webinar, rebroadcast are available for free on our website.

Testimonials from
Taking the Fear out of Cold Calling

“Thank you for the information you shared during the webinar. Very helpful! I look forward to future webinars you may offer that might assist me with my job search.”

“Great seminar!Thank you!”

“Good material, good presentation.”

“Very informative. I am more motivated to overcome my FEAR of Cold calling.”

“Thank you. Webinar validated my fears AND my methods. One surprise: 40 calls per week! Wow, will get on that one quickly.

“Nice presentation on a difficult topic.”

“Excellent ideas. Thank you for saying it’s OK to be a pest. Very helpful.”

“Thank you for offering this and your other webinars. Cold calling is tough for me. I think you really hit the nail on the head as to many of the reasons why I find it so difficult. I mostly have a hard time getting over feeling like I’m being a pest. You made a lot of thoughtful, helpful points, but I’m not sure I’m going to find this any easier to do. However, I’m going to reread my notes for some sparks of inspiration, and take a stab at making some calls. Thanks again.”

“Great presentation, Bob. I am one who has great fear of the warm calling — contacting people I haven’t kept in touch with for YEARS. Your suggestions are very helpful. Thanks for all you do to help those of us looking for our next provessional opportunity. (H. Treddin-Denville, NJ)”

“I am very glad that I joined the webinar, it was very informative and cold calling topic was really interesting. I learned and convinced to overcome my fear. Thank you for providing detail information about cold calling and warm calling with samples.”

“exceptional job … thank you for taking the time to present this material”

“I thought it was very helpful and hopefully now that I know step by step on how to go about what I include in my messages, It will make it that much easier to call.”

“Thanks for the advice. I hadn’t really thought about snail mail in some time but that may actually be a great “”in”” with a potential hiring manager.”

“As Bob mentioned, it’s not any easy thing to do & not my favorite topic. He had some good suggestions for making the calls easier to stomach.”

“I thought that BLK was spot on about the various fears involved with calling out. After an extended transition, one could get into a funk or lull and think that it isn’t worth it, but it really is, and I know personally, that is what I need to do. Like was said in the webinar, it only takes one win / hit !! Thanks for the push.”

“Loved the practicality of the Webinar. It was quick, helpful and the technology worked perfectly (always a plus with these things). Thanks, Bob!”

“Great information! I will start doing mor cold calls starting today!”

“Very interesting. The content was right on in identifying many of the concerns that I have about cold calling. Despite the assurances, though, I am still a little hesitant about doing them–I have received such calls in the past and have not found them much fun to deal with. However, given my lack of employment, perhaps I just need to press on.”

“Thank you for your generous advice and time, it is much appreciated. I feel armed with more incentive for making many more calls than I’ve made, and even some reason to think I did a few things right. Now I’d like to better learn how to use LinkedIn and other social networking sites to target to whom to introduce myself. Expanding my network when I feel I’ve exhausted my warm calls is something I’d like a script for.”

“Excellent presentation, well thought out and efficiently presented. Very energizing! Gotta get on the phone…”

“I decided to take the Cold Calling Webinar because the idea of cold calls makes me cringe. My job search is two weeks old and I was given the services of The Five O’Clock Club in my outplacement. The Webinar was very informative and I must admit I have heard many of these points before. The difference is that Bob Larson has a style of speaking that gets the point across and does it in such a way that it feels like a comfortable conversation with someone you know. He instills confidence in the listener.”

“Bob,An EXCELLENT session . . . Once again the content, delivery and your wealth of experience provided valuable and most appreciated information. Thank you and your staff as well for providing same.”

“Great approach – Bob realizes that to get folks to cold call you need to alleviate or eliminate the apprehension about doing this. His tips are clean and concise, much like your message needs to be.”

“Well done. I half-expected the program to be a thinly-veiled pitch for recruiting services, but indeed found it to be very helpful. As a result, I will look earnestly for more programs and services from your firm.”

“Terrific content provided in an upbeat manner. It did acknowledge the difficulty in following this advice and admitted it is hard – so that was realistic. The time frame (30 minutes) and cost (free) make it a wonderful value. Thanks.”

“nice webinar! Thanks for the cold calling and warm tips, it will help in landing a job.”

“Quite good, and not too long. This may actually make me resove to do some calling.”

“Upbeat and inspirational…gave me a set of tactics that I wasn’t using. Appreciate the time and effort in providing this.”

“This was an excellent webinar. Very concise. I feel like I learned a lot. I have a better understanding how important cold calling is. I will commit to developing a strategy for adding cold calling to my search efforts. Thanks for hosting this program.”

“I can finally adjust my thinking about this topic and start working towards a goal of approving my job search.Thank you”

“Thank you for a Great Presentation.The examples of reducing your phone bill by using Skype and how the significance of staying in touch like EC the EE can generate results were brilliant. Keep up the Good Work!!”

“Excellent presentation! I concede that I ‘m part of the 90% not presently using cold calling as part of my job search. However, I have used the warm calling aspect as a follow-up technique to a resume submittance trying to establish a deeper working relationship with the recruiting firm or client.”

We at Berman Larson Kane (www.jobsbl.com) thank you for attending our recent job-seeker webinar…below are your suggestions & tips. 

If you would like to listen to a rebroadcast it is available at

 https://www.jobsbl.com/jobs/coaching/webinars.php with a link to our next webinar scheduled for 12 noon October 7th.

Thanks for sharing your experience below:

  “Have one lunch per week with a person in your network.  You always feel energized afterwards, since there is always an information  exchange.” “Do something that you know will generate a response for sure and that helps maintain your confidence.” “Join a job search group; if you can, join a career counseling group; keep a record of your job search activities and your follow ups.” “Use time to reinvent your appearance so you feel better about yourself for an interview…new hair cut, lose weight, workout, “how do I look” evening with friends and family.” “Go to lunch with someone in your profession each week, it keeps you in touch with the industry and make you feel a part of it.” “Read scripture to let you know you are not alone and things will be all right 

 

“Prayer Personal growth and motivation CD’s/DVD’s Education – work on certifications/staying current
Career support groups Avoid pity parties”

 

 “I’ve only been out for a few weeks – and, yes, already “doing errands” [grin]. But also, I get up early, sit down and work the search hard until 12-1pm, at which point I shift gears, do those errands, and, as a reward, prep a good dinner for the family as “House Dad” (not only am I a better, enthusiastic and more varied cook than my at-work wife, but it’s a lot cheaper to eat home cooking, something we don’t do often enough when both of us are working).” “Exercise is certainly a motivator, antidepressant, and rejuvenator.  I also find going to industry events, not networking groups, is a great way of keeping up on your field, finding new contacts, and simply getting out and doing some productive socializing.  It is both a reward and an element of your search.  Often the events, particularly trade shows are free.  If they are not, mentioning you are in transition usually leads to a substantial registration discount.” “Talk to people and cheer them on—it’s reciprocated.” “If I find a new contact, job posting or just a good piece of advice that I think would be of interest to one of my own contacts/fellow job seekers, I send it along.  I like to think that paying it forward might reap some rewards down the road for my own job search.” “Fortunately I have my health and with that, anything is possible. 
Who, beside myself, will I be letting down if I quit the process?
So many people are worse off than me; I can’t feel sorry for myself.”“Stay positive and continue to believe in yourself and your abilities.”  “Reward yourself during your job search by staying in touch with friends and family – especially uplifting ones!”“Get fresh air and some kind of exercise daily.”   “I remind myself that many super successful people and ideas were rejected many times before success.”  “Several record company executives who turned down the Beatles for a contract.””Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” was rejected by 122 publishers, but sold over 4 million copies.” The “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series was rejected 140 times. ”James Joyce’s “Dubliners” (probably the best short story collection ever written) was rejected 22 times.”  “Have a salesman attitude… never give up and learn to deal with rejection since that’s what occurs the vast majority of the time.” “Get 1 to 3 people (family, friends, coworkers, etc.) who will always support you, motivate you, listen to you and have your back.” “Always search for new approaches and techniques… continuous process improvement.” “Reminding myself (whether it be at the start of the week, each morning, or after a set-back) that making the first call, networking contact or follow-up is the toughest.  Once started, it becomes easier.” “Set your alarm, get up groom, dress as you would for a business casual day (no pjs, lounge wear, day camping clothing), take a little time to eat and review your plan for the day.  Then, down to work (job hunt as if it were your job).” “Read the Bible Networking in church. Requesting pray in pray groups” “Plan your weekly menu on the weekend and shop once, I find that my ‘errands’ often involve several trips to the store for an item or two here or there, which clearly is a huge time waster.” “I work at looking for a job no more then 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. I plan other activities.” “I find it easier to do the necessary job search activities (networking, etc.) once I accept the fact that this is a job I HAVE to DO—not necessarily one I have to ENJOY (swallowing the frog?).” “Stopped listening to and spending time with negative people.” “I try to remain accountable to a group of friends that are also looking for work.  We compete to see who has worked harder in the past week.” “Do something constructive or entertaining that you don’t have a chance to do while your working.” “Be sure your expectations are realistic in the current market. I.e. salary.   If you set your expectations too high, you will be discouraged.” “Think about all the marketable skills you have and the hard work you put into your education.” “Attend local chamber of commerce and rotary functions in the areas where you want to work.  Make sure you look for the contacts from your targeted companies.” “I listen to tapes, read and pray every day.” “Take a break to clear your mind.  Take a walk, do some gardening or something you enjoy to take you mind off things, then get back to the job of finding a job.”  “Go to Yoga classes to get exercise, reduce stress, and stay focused.” “Set up workspace away from daily household routine.” “Definitely recognize that it’s the recession and economy and not you that is causing the lack of jobs.” “Prayer & praise”  “Make to-do list every evening for the next day and update tasks to be completed by Friday.  Check off tasks so you feel your progress.” “I’m new to job searching, so its motivating to hear others speak highly of me.”  “You briefly touched on it, but did not go into take advantage of the Stimulus package and the free schooling to get certifications and making yourself better in your field.  Now as that does not help with the immediate search, it will make you a stronger candidate.  In my cover letter I place which certifications I am headed towards.” “Going to networking meetings. Get out of the house periodically.” “I agree with the others that exercise is a great way to stay positive.  It keeps you at your best mentally and physically.  Also staying in a work routine – I make sure I get up and dressed as if I’m going to work – don’t sleep in – I put on work cloths and do my hair and makeup.” “Always ask, “what went well today” and keeping the faith that this is temporary and it only takes “one” hit to win the job.” “I agree with the statement about keeping a regular schedule.  It helps me to review what I have already done as well as plan for the future.  These items can include follow up phone calls, researching a company or applying for another position from my networking activities.” “I read saint & angels oracle cards daily” “Try to stay very busy.”

Jobs for the FALL J

 

The lazy days of summer are over, Labor Day is pasted and the question is will the job market finally heat-up as the weather gets cooler?

 

As we have all read the number of jobs lost the past month has decreased significantly.  But for those who are in transition this is hardly good news.  We need this number to turn to positive with more jobs being created then lost! Once this happens and I am predicting Q4 09 we will start seeing a few more smiles from the unemployed.  

 

As for trickles of life (green shouts) we at Berman Larson Kane (www.jobsbl.com) are experiencing several clients adding temporary staff as they fill in skill challenges within their organizations.  Having been in the employment field for 30 plus years temporary hiring was the first sign of life during the three official recessions I have lived through.  Hopefully this one is following the same pattern.

 

Last evening as I listened to the Presidents address on “Healthcare” as a business person, I know this challenge needs to be addressed so we can become more competitive on a global scale.  Tom Friedman’s column in yesterdays’ New York Times “Well, to compete and win in a globalized world, no one needs the burden of health insurance shifted from business to government more than American business. No one needs immigration reform — so the world’s best brainpower can come here without restrictions — more than American business. No one needs a push for clean-tech — the world’s next great global manufacturing industry — more than American business.” As for the moment I continue to thank our clients for their business, our staff for adding value to our clients staffing challenges and we continue to assist those in transition with our FREE job-seeker webinars. 

I am hopeful that sometime on the not too distant horizon, Wednesday September 16^TH topic can be retired for at least the next decade “Staying Motivated and Organizing Your Day During an Extended Job Search” to register https://www.jobsbl.com/jobs/coaching/webinars.php and follow the links. 

Happy job hunting Q4 will be the first flicker of real light.