Interesting job seeker article on 8/14/14:
An Article Rec’d from “Career Builder” today and Author Marc Miller which clearly states the value of Temporary Staffing while in the Job Market…
Should I Take A Survival Job?
Business2Community - By: Miller, Marc - 08/12/2014
Survival Job
Are you considering taking a survival job? Have you been out of work for over six months? Have your unemployment benefits run out?
Are you running out of money to pay the mortgage, or are you going to raid your 401(k) for living expenses?
Many are driven to this decision by monetary issues and feel like they are stepping off into desperation.
I define a survival job as any position that you plan on taking temporarily. This might be taking a retail position at Home Depot or substitute teaching with the local school district or even working for a family member in an administrative role.
Here are the questions I want you to ask yourself before you take a survival job.
Will I Be Able to Continue My Job Search?
I have been on the board of directors of Launch Pad Job Club, the largest and oldest job organization in Central Texas, since 2006. Early in my tenure on the board, I ran a survey of our current and past members. What I found was that the vast majority of those who took a survival job discontinued their job search.
Be honest with yourself!
Look at the number of hours you will be working and when. If you take a 40 hour a week position, will you have the time and energy to continue your job search?
I have seen a lot of job club members take retail positions where they are on their feet all day on concrete floors and come home exhausted.
Will the hours you work conflict with your ability to network and interview for a new position?
Launch Pad Job Club now has a signature program called Leap to Success where club members work on real projects for area non-profits pro-bono. The projects are intended to last only 4-6 weeks and only require a 10 hour per week commitment.
Will I Have the Opportunity to Meet Prospective Employers?
Here are some examples where a survival job might allow you to make some money and network your way to your next position:
Work temporarily for local conventions in registration and other administrative functions.
Take a seasonal position at a company where you want to work. Whole Foods Market, which is headquartered in Austin, gives priority to candidates who have worked there. For example, f you want an IT position you can work as a cashier during the holiday season, impress the manager, and you will likely be given priority in interviewing for IT positions.
Seasonal government positions – This could be a census taker or working local elections. You never know who you might meet.Will this Position Help Me Acquire a Skill?
I have had multiple clients take survival jobs through Goodwill Staffing of Central Texas. In some cases, they have been given access to software that they could not afford on their own. In a few free moments during the day, they have been able to train themselves on the software. They can only do this on their breaks and lunch time, but it is possible.
Would I be Embarrassed to Put this on My Resume?
When taking a survival job, you need to consider whether you will put this on your resume and on your LinkedIn profile.
Obviously, if you went to work for an adult oriented business, you will likely not want to put this on your resume. If you do not, you will need to explain the gap in your resume. This also could include working for religious or political organizations. In today’s politically correct climate, you will want to clearly weigh your options.
Think carefully before taking a survival job.
You have to be honest with yourself about your own abilities to make sure you can continue your job search.
What, if any, benefits other than the income do you get from taking this position?
What are the liabilities to taking the position?
Information from Choice Staffing: Our client businesses offer jobs for:
Let us help you find the perfect job.
An Article Rec’d from “Career Builder” today and Author Marc Miller which clearly states the value of Temporary Staffing while in the Job Market…
Should I Take A Survival Job?
Business2Community - By: Miller, Marc - 08/12/2014
Survival Job
Are you considering taking a survival job? Have you been out of work for over six months? Have your unemployment benefits run out?
Are you running out of money to pay the mortgage, or are you going to raid your 401(k) for living expenses?
Many are driven to this decision by monetary issues and feel like they are stepping off into desperation.
I define a survival job as any position that you plan on taking temporarily. This might be taking a retail position at Home Depot or substitute teaching with the local school district or even working for a family member in an administrative role.
Here are the questions I want you to ask yourself before you take a survival job.
Will I Be Able to Continue My Job Search?
I have been on the board of directors of Launch Pad Job Club, the largest and oldest job organization in Central Texas, since 2006. Early in my tenure on the board, I ran a survey of our current and past members. What I found was that the vast majority of those who took a survival job discontinued their job search.
Be honest with yourself!
Look at the number of hours you will be working and when. If you take a 40 hour a week position, will you have the time and energy to continue your job search?
I have seen a lot of job club members take retail positions where they are on their feet all day on concrete floors and come home exhausted.
Will the hours you work conflict with your ability to network and interview for a new position?
Launch Pad Job Club now has a signature program called Leap to Success where club members work on real projects for area non-profits pro-bono. The projects are intended to last only 4-6 weeks and only require a 10 hour per week commitment.
Will I Have the Opportunity to Meet Prospective Employers?
Here are some examples where a survival job might allow you to make some money and network your way to your next position:
Work temporarily for local conventions in registration and other administrative functions.
Take a seasonal position at a company where you want to work. Whole Foods Market, which is headquartered in Austin, gives priority to candidates who have worked there. For example, f you want an IT position you can work as a cashier during the holiday season, impress the manager, and you will likely be given priority in interviewing for IT positions.
Seasonal government positions – This could be a census taker or working local elections. You never know who you might meet.Will this Position Help Me Acquire a Skill?
I have had multiple clients take survival jobs through Goodwill Staffing of Central Texas. In some cases, they have been given access to software that they could not afford on their own. In a few free moments during the day, they have been able to train themselves on the software. They can only do this on their breaks and lunch time, but it is possible.
Would I be Embarrassed to Put this on My Resume?
When taking a survival job, you need to consider whether you will put this on your resume and on your LinkedIn profile.
Obviously, if you went to work for an adult oriented business, you will likely not want to put this on your resume. If you do not, you will need to explain the gap in your resume. This also could include working for religious or political organizations. In today’s politically correct climate, you will want to clearly weigh your options.
Think carefully before taking a survival job.
You have to be honest with yourself about your own abilities to make sure you can continue your job search.
What, if any, benefits other than the income do you get from taking this position?
What are the liabilities to taking the position?
Information from Choice Staffing: Our client businesses offer jobs for:
- Professional
- Information Technology
- Industrial Factories
- Warehouse
- Production
- Clerical
- Office
- Contractors
- GNA's
- CNA's
- LPN's
- RN's
- Direct Hire Services
Let us help you find the perfect job.
To apply for any of our jobs you can download the proper application below, or fill one out online.
Choice Application for Employment
Medical Staffing Application
You can fill out these applications and email them to:
Laura Helmick laura@choicewv.com