Headhunters For The Trades
Jan 31st
Most of our clients require you to have your own reliable vehicle before they will consider you for employment. Experience tells us that this is usually a good policy. But it is unfortunate because so many folks are hard-working and talented ..basically very employable if only they had a car.
Child & Family Services Ways to Work Loan Program will loan between $500 and $4,000 to help you get back to work. From their website:
Our program provides loans from $500 to $4,000 to be used for the following:
- To purchase a vehicle or make needed repairs;
- To make your security deposit, rent, or mortgage payment or for housing repairs;
- To pay for child care;
- Business loans; or
- To purchase needed equipment such as computers or tools for employment or school, or necessary appliances for the home.
Jan 30th
Sales will be the job to have in 2010. In 2009 companies were forced to make draconian cuts to their staff. Commerce and construction was at a standstill. Most of the sales staff became dead weight and had to be jettisoned. And here’s a hint – most of the sales staff that went overboard were not great salespeople anyway. By 2008 they had become bloated and complacent eating all of the low-hanging fruit from a fast moving economy.
If 2010 is what we all hope it will be, then many companies will need to rebuild their sales force. Remember, sales drives the organization – without it nothing happens!
In commercial construction sales often means “estimator” or number cruncher. Residential sales is usually a more traditional interaction with Mrs. Jones. Both of them require you to be able to handle a “no”.
Here’s whats on deck:
Jan 26th
Joe is the man you want to get when you need the right help now! We had a job that required his skills here at the office: we called Joe and he was here inside of an hour, working outside in a snowstorm. He stayed well after dark, doing all the job that was needed. Here’s what he says:
I am pursuing a career as an electrician after 12 years of machine repair. I have ability: my certifications and experience prove that! My positive attitude will make me one of the best electrician’s helpers you have ever hired! ~Joe
Jan 26th
We’re looking for a good driver with a CDL-A for a position in the Buffalo area. To be considered, applicants need to have at least 2 years experience driving a dump truck. Before we can refer you, you will need to have ready a
Drop a line to kim@cpgworks.com or give us a call 716/855.8100
Jan 21st
CCTV & Access Control Technician is needed for a 16-week contract to hire position in the Western New York area. At the end of the contract our client anticipates hiring this individual on a full-time basis. At that time this person would likely receive a pay increase along with vacation and benefits.
Must Have:
Nice to have:
Please forward your resume in confidence to:
Huw Richardson at Huw@CPGworks.com
Jan 19th
Needed is a commercial carpenter with more then 5 years experience. This is likely a permanent position with upward potential within the company.
Qualifications:
Please reply in confidence to:
Huw Richardson Huw@CPGworks.com 716-855-8100Jan 18th
See also:
I mentioned earlier that working in an industrial setting for a large block of time might actually serve to stigmatize you. In this example Joe worked as a welder for Ford for twelve years. He took an early buyout on his retirement package just before the job market took a turn for the worst. Joe is still young and has tons to offer, however he doesn’t have much to show during the last few years since Ford.
This is difficult because the experience he has the most of is not very marketable in the construction industry. Therefore, if he really wants to move forward, Joe may have to take a step back first. Since he can no longer sell his skills, he will have to sell his related experience, his potential, and his soft skills. In Joe’s case he is positive, friendly, well spoken, he can think and make decisions, he can be part of a team, he is smart enough to have an impressive list of certifications – and these things are all proven! He has decided that if he cannot get a job as an industrial welder, then his next greatest value to an employer is as an electrician. So we go from there.
1. Target trade: Electrician
2. Experience: At Ford his welding skills were used largely for machine repair. It is impossible to be responsible for machine repair without thorough knowledge of electrical. He has twelve years of this.
3. Skills (technical): Journeyman certification in machine repair; certified in stick, mig & tig
4. Achievements: Volunteer for Extreme Makeover
5. Skills (soft)/personality: positive, friendly, helper, can think, leadership potential, well spoken, team player
So we put all this together and we come up with….
I am a journeyman in machine repair with 12 years of experience in industrial settings. I put my skills to the test on extreme makeover! I will bring my positive attitude to your repair, welding or electrical team
Or how about?
I am pursuing a career as an electrician after 12 years of machine repair. I have ability: my certifications and experience prove that! My positive attitude will make me one of the best electricians helpers you have ever hired.
Jan 15th
See also:
Let’s work through another example of a targeted objective statement. This person gained most of his experience from working as a plumber, steamfitter, and later as an inspector at a very large industrial plant in his city. The market is flooded with ex-employees from this giant and quite honestly his time spent there could possibly serve to stigmatize him.
Over the last thirty years he as always been able to generate some additional income by using his credentials to work with some of the local contractors and even some of the public addressing their plumbing service and install needs. This is probably more valuable to your average construction company than his industrial experience.
It was fairly easy to determine that his greatest value (to whomever he works for) is as a plumber. He is about as talented as they come so we shoot for a “lead” position.
My combination of 30 years of freelance plumbing along with my many certifications including master plumber, green plumber, and city inspector give me an ideal foundation to work with most companies as a lead plumber.
Or this
I am a plumber with thirty years experience. With my combination of skills and certifications – from master plumber, city inspector, green plumbing – I am well prepared to offer you the best value as a lead on your team.
More on this subject:
Jan 12th
Twenty-one years ago I dropped $35 to buy the business cards that would provide repeated proof that I was a legitimate contractor. I spent $15 on a classified that said, “Let John Do It”. I even went to Office Max and bought a proposal template pad and a rubber stamp with my name on it. My biggest expense was my insurance policy; and once I had that in place I was a “legitimate contractor”! I cringe when I think about some of the projects I got myself into. Projects I had no right even coming close to. The most redeeming aspect for my clients then was that I was both cheap and honest. So honest that even ten years after the project had closed I would come back to fix my mistakes.
Would the result have been different had state-wide licensing been in place? If the licensing had come with an education requirement, then I have to answer, “yes.” My intentions were well-meaning – but boy was my cart before my horse!
Opponents of this idea believe that a state license would really only amount to another tax. I admit, I too am concerned that it might not be handled properly. But what’s the alternative? An army of would-be tradespeople with less certifications than your hair stylist (who is required to get state licensing) preying on a just as miss-informed public.
I know these are difficult times, and that folks are out of work. Freelancing as a carpenter or a handyman is one thing. But when you start calling yourself a contractor – you’re affecting people’s lives and safety. Everyone you touch is at risk: your customer; your employees; even your vendors.
Florida has had state licensing in place for as long as I can remember and Massachusetts is implementing one this year. Is it a good thing? I think so – but only time will tell. I for one think its time that New York State open the dialogue on state-wide licensing.
