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timothyharleywright

* Job search strategies – The very beginning

I have been asked to help a couple young men in the congregation find work.

For me to write this at this juncture, when I myself don’t have work, may seem silly.  However, the strategies don’t change.  They may find work before I do.

Below appears information about some temp agencies I’m aware of.  Their mention here does not imply any endorsement.  I will update this post from time to time as I obtain more information.

I will discuss searching for “permanent” jobs in a later post.

Starting right now: Stay busy

Chillin’ isn’t a job skill. No interviewer will ask you how good (or bad) you hang. Once you get a job, you must stay busy eight hours a day doing things you don’t necessarily want to do. You may as well get used to doing that now. For at least eight hours, every day, make sure you’re busy all the time — never idle. Possible activities:• Clean house, do chores, laundry, dishes• Fix up broken things around the house• Get a hobby• Work in a garden• Do volunteer work (See below.)• Clean up the neighborhood

When I was in college, I actually made up and kept timesheets to make sure I spent at least eight hours a day either in class or doing homework. Otherwise I would never have graduated.

Do volunteer work

You can find volunteer work at a local church, hospital, school, old folks’ home, etc. It won’t put money in your pocket, but (1) will keep you busy; (2) will prove to other people that you have the must-have skills for any job (See below.) (3) get you a good reference for your job search — a supervisor who will tell potential employers how valuable you are. (4) You will most likely be able to take a day or two off each week to look for “real” work. (5) If you perform well, you will wind up being wanted. And there’s no better feeling in the world, than being wanted.

Must-have skills for any job• Show up every day• Maintain a positive attitude• Show up on time• Get along with other people• Work hard and keep at it• Be polite and respectful to everyone• Follow directions

Accept part-time work

If a part-time opportunity comes your way, take it.

Any job at all is better than no job at all.  Night work, work you really don’t like, work for a bitch-ass boss, work with co-workers who annoy you — any job at all is better than no job at all.  It puts cash in your pocket; perhaps more important, it makes you more attractive to other employers.  There is tremendous prejudice in the job market against people who have no job at all.  Having at least a part-time job — even, for example, sweeping the parking lot at the supermarket or taking out trash at the deli — solves that.

Advantages of part-time work:  (1) It puts cash in your pocket, which feels good.  (2) It’s earned cash, which feels even better. (3) In your free time, you can still look for full-time jobs. (4) You will get references you can use in looking for better jobs — supervisors who will tell others how valuable you are.  (5) If you perform well, you will wind up being wanted; and there’s no better feeling in the world, than being wanted.

Temp agencies

A job, assignment or “ticket” may last one day, several days, a week or two, or months.  Some agencies pay cash at the end of each day; others give you a check at the end of the week.

Some require you to show up each day at 5:00 a.m. and wait and see if they’ll send you out that day.  Some provide transportation to and from the job site.  Some of them charge you for that service — $4 to $6 a day.

Others will phone you a day ahead of time and tell you when and where to show up.  And expect you to get there on your own.

Each one has its own atmosphere.  If you don’t like the atmosphere at one place, go to another.

Advantages of temp work: (1) Money in your pocket. (2) It’s earned money, which feels even better. (3) You can take a day off each week to look for permanent work.  (4) Some temp jobs become permanent. (5) You will get references you can use in looking for better jobs — supervisors who will tell others how valuable you are.  (6) If you perform well, you will wind up being wanted; and there’s no better feeling in the world, than being wanted.

Just Temps 20 South Central Avenue Baltimore, MD  21202 (410) 534-1024 http://www.justtemps.com/

Temps Now 1645 Ridgely St Baltimore, MD 21230 (410) 837-8372

1st Team Staffing 5517 Selma Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21227 – 410.242.2810 5022 Campbell Blvd, Suite A, Baltimore, MD 21236 – 410.933.5690 http://www.1stteamstaffing.com/

Kennedy Personnel Service 829 E Baltimore St Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 659-5300 http://www.kennedy-services.com

Randstad 300 E Lombard St Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 576-0711 https://www.randstadusa.com/

Manpower 401 E Pratt St, Ste 351 Baltimore, MD 21202 (301) 970-2100 http://www.manpower.com

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Reblogged 05/09/24.

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