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Seeking a job? Don't be picky Reynolds runs The Repovich-Reynolds Group, an executive search firm based in Pasadena, Calif. She offers no-nonsense advice to job seekers: "This economy is not the kind to be particular in. This is not the time to hold back for the next step forward." When the economy is more stable in a few years, that is the time to move forward in your career rather than worrying about taking a step back or sideways now, she said. Reynolds said job seekers who are more open-minded are getting the jobs faster in today's economy. Her advice to the unemployed is to spend two-thirds of the time interviewing, sending out resumes and contacting people about work and to spend the other third doing contract, volunteer or part-time work to help maintain self-esteem. "That keeps you mentally in a positive frame of mind before you interview," she said. While Reynolds is adamant that job seekers should not be too choosy these days, she has seen a significant change in the way workers view "success" over the last 18 months, in light of the economic downturn and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "We've all been trained to believe the only way to define success is by taking jobs with bigger titles, more responsibilities, more people to manage and more money," she said. "I've seen people refine that notion since Sept. 11. Everybody needs to get comfortable with the notion of saying no." In fact, job seekers are more frequently saying "no" to relocation. Professionals have become less inclined over the last two years to accept and even look for work that involves relocation, she said. Potential employees are also less attracted to aggressive corporate cultures that require 60- to 70-hour workweeks, she said. Those stipulations may limit their opportunities, she said, but once job seekers have defined certain conditions, they need to be flexible about the work they will do given the uncertain economy. Reynolds predicted that smart employers will emerge from the recession to design more flexible and stable work structures so there won't be as many layoffs in bad times and re-hiring's in good times. Such a framework would involve more part-time employees, job sharing and contract workers, she said. Another change she has seen over the last few months, since the Enron scandal broke and charges of harmful accounting practices become more commonplace, is a greater emphasis by senior-level executives searching for work on the trust and integrity of the employer. The quality of management has always been a top issue for investors when making a decision on where to put their money, said Larry Thede, president of the Rocky Mountain chapter of NIRI. By Daisy Whitney -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
