Web Posted: Friday, March 4, 2005 at www.marquette.edu
Maybe you’ve been looking for a job for a while now and have been hearing the same things – "you don’t have enough experience"; "why have you been unemployed so long and what have you been doing?"; "do you have any computer skills that are more recent?". Or perhaps you’re having a hard time getting "inside" the companies you’re targeting. And to top it off, unemployment just isn’t cutting it, or it’s about to run out!
There’s an option you may not have considered – project work. Working for a company to complete a short- or long-term assignment, either directly or through a staffing company, can be an interim solution to your employment challenges. In a volatile economy, many companies are hesitant to bring on permanent employees until a clearer picture of the economy develops. Yet, projects and workloads still need to be accomplished. These projects can range from entry level to professional, with coordinating pay ranges. Although there is usually an ending date, which allows you to not make a permanent commitment while looking for work, many projects have turned to permanent employment as a result of stellar performance. Projects offer options and advantages in the following areas:
Job Search Strategies
Working a short or long term project assignment can put your job search into fast forward and build some strength into your self-marketing.
Decrease length of unemployment Many job seekers are experiencing a longer lapse in their employment than in the past, as the economy and unemployment rates have taken a hit. Interviewers see long periods of unemployment as potential "red flags" and may pass over your resume for one of the hundreds of others received. Working on a project assignment will show that you are committed to working, are "in demand" with other employers, and help keep your skills up to date. In addition, project work allows you to maintain a full time job search and receive a paycheck without being committed to a permanent job.
Informational Interviewing We always hear about the importance of finding out more information about a company, industry or type of job that you are seeking in an effort to become more informed and network. What better way to get to know a company, industry or type of job than to be there –day by day. Working in an industry or company you’re interested in for a short-term project allows you the opportunity to talk with co-workers, supervisors, managers to get a feel for the culture, priorities and internal postings. It may help to narrow your personal career goals and advance your search strategies.
Resume Booster While looking for work, project employment can help boost your resume with additional skills, increased work history and diminished gap in employment.
‘Career Changers’
Maybe you’ve been laid off from your job one too many times; or an injury commands that you get into a new line of work; or you were a stay-at-home mom who wants to get back into the work force – you are looking to change careers. This can be difficult if you have little experience in a certain industry or type of job. Working through a short/long term project can help you to gain some experience in this industry or type of job. You will gain exposure to and experience with tools, software, language and expectations used in this work. You will gain a work history, references, accomplishments and skills that can help open previously closed doors.
Students
Students completing their education can become frustrated with their job search as they are told they have no experience – yet they cannot get any experience without getting the job! And since many graduates will be faced with one of the most difficult job markets in over a decade, any advantage they can bring to them will help. Working on one or several short- or long-term projects for good, strong companies can be a key that opens up many doors.
Projects unrelated to your ideal job can be with a company that may hire from within. We’ve all heard about those “lucky people” who worked in the mailroom and now run the Marketing Department. They got in the door, learned how to sell themselves, discovered “who’s who” in the company and how to get ahead. Project work can get you in the door, what happens next is up to you. Projects related to your ideal job an give you the essential experience you need to take to your next position, and give you an advantage over other candidates with no experience.
Project work, through short- and long-term assignments, is an option many may not have considered, yet can be a unique, useful option in your career goals. If you are interested in finding out more about how project work can help you in your career, or how to find assignments, contact Nissen Staffing Continuum at nissenstaffing.com.
Shelly Flaten-Moore has brought a diverse base of skills and experience in the areas of marketing, business services and staffing solutions to her current position as Marketing Manager of Nissen Staffing Continuum. Shelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Human Resource Management. She has contributed to a number of publications and e-newsletters in the areas of employment and workforce development.