The EPG Connection

A few months ago I wrote about the advantages to businesses and companies of utilizing temporary and/or contract employees, particularly during a recession. I reiterated those thoughts in January when I spoke as a panelist at the Rutgers Quarterly Business Outlook. At the Outlook I also briefly mentioned the advantages to job seekers of considering temporary/contract assignments while looking for permanent career opportunities. The main topic of this CEO CORNER will be an expansion of that thought.

Although there are many reasons to do so, I believe there are three main advantages to considering temporary/contract assignments even when (actually especially when) permanent employment is the goal. First, and perhaps the most obvious, is the fact that it is much more likely that you will find permanent employment if you are in the workforce. In fact, many temporary/contract assignments are structured as temporary/contract to hire. In these situations, if all parties (candidate, company, and recruiter) agree, the temporary assignment can result in an offer of permanent employment after an agreed upon period of time. For this reason it is very important to work to the best of one’s ability during the “temporary” tenure. Show them what you can do! Additionally, the opportunities for career-focused networking are much stronger while engaged in the workforce. Make it your business to get to know influential people, possible hiring officials, and anyone else who may be in a position to assist in your job search. Let’s face it; the chances of gaining meaningful employment are much greater from the inside rather than the outside.

The second main reason for considering a temporary/contract assignment has to do with cash flow. Do the math…will more money be coming into your household with a job or without a job? Granted, the income generated through a temporary work assignment may not be sufficient to meet all of your financial goals, but certainly can go a long way toward getting the bills paid. Additionally, many upper level contract assignments can be quite lucrative, and in fact many people make an excellent living working exclusively in the contract arena.

Finally, being engaged in any type of work endeavor is certainly more energizing and fulfilling than passing through the day without focus. Of course, many people are extremely focused on their job search and it is those people who stand a much greater chance of gaining employment, even in a down market. Also, many studies have shown that people feel much more vital, worthwhile, and motivated when they are working. Again, many temporary/contract assignments may not involve the job of your dreams, but the simple fact that you are getting out of bed in the morning with a purpose can go a long way toward finding that special job.

So, keep your chin up, stiff upper lip, and hold your head high. There are many opportunities for work, especially in the temporary and/or contract arenas.

Being willing to broaden your horizons and step out of your comfort zone can give you a leg up when it comes to finding the job you’ve been looking for.

TOWERS PERRIN’S GLOBAL WORKFORCE STUDY (2007-2008), the largest of its kind, identifies the drivers of attraction, retention and engagement through the eyes of employees at midsize to large organizations worldwide. The study measures employees’ rational, emotional and motivational connections to their companies and jobs to calculate their level of engagement and better understand how engagement affects behavior and performance.

The study also explores employees’ views about a broad array of workplace factors, including the actions and behavior of senior leadership and direct managers, and company culture, communication and various programs.

TOP FINDING: A SIGNIFICANT ENGAGEMENT GAP
Just 21% of the close to 90,000 respondents worldwide are engaged in their work, meaning they’re willing to go the extra mile to help their companies succeed. What’s perhaps more troubling, 38% are partly to fully disengaged.

The result is an “engagement gap” between the discretionary effort companies need and people actually want to invest, and companies’ effectiveness in channeling this effort to enhance performance.

The study also found that companies with the highest levels of employee engagement achieve better financial results and are more successful in retaining their most valued employees than companies with lower levels of engagement.

KEY INSIGHTS TO CLOSE THE GAP
1. The organization is the most powerful influencer of employee engagement.
2. There is no single “right model” for a high-performance culture; the most effective approach depends on an organization’s strategic priorities.
3. Employees are eager to invest more of themselves to help the company succeed, but want to understand what’s in it for them.
4. Senior leaders need to make the leap to a more inspirational and engaging style of leadership to help drive higher engagement.
5. Companies need to understand their employees as well as they understand their customers to design a work environment and experience that will drive higher engagement and performance.

THE FOCUS FOR SENIOR AND FUTURE LEADERS
Leaders and managers need to master a new set of abilities to engage their people and sustain and enhance performance, especially in today’s increasingly challenging business environment. The survey shows that senior leadership has a significant impact on engagement. The top engagement driver both globally and in the U.S. is employees’ belief that senior management has their best interests at heart. Yet, only about four out of 10 respondents believe this is true in their organizations. More than half also felt that senior management “treats us as just another part of the organization to be managed” or “as if we don’t matter.”

•  Senior leaders get relatively low marks on empathy, communication and transparency.

•  Managers — who help deliver the work experience and represent the pool of future leaders — also get low marks on key aspects of their role.

BOTTOM LINE
While leaders may have mastered the operational basics of their role, they need to do more to connect with and inspire the workforce. Turning people’s energy and ambition into engagement — and ultimately into significant performance lift — demands attention, focus and some very different behaviors from senior leaders, as well as clear follow-through on a number of organizational practices. The challenge for senior management is to recognize the value of employees’ untapped potential and to channel it in ways that yield real improvements in business performance.

Congratulations to our December 2008 employee of the month, Deborah Dennis. Deborah registered with Emerson Personnel Group in October of 2007. To date, Deborah has accepted 20 different assignments through Emerson Personnel Group! Our clients have been very pleased with Deborah. Many have repeatedly requested that Deborah return. We appreciate Deborah’s enthusiasm and willingness to try different types of assignments. We are proud to have Deborah on our team. Congratulations Deborah!

How to Stay Positive in a Difficult Time
presented by Dynamic Resumes
www.dynamicresumesofNJ.comIt can be hard to stay motivated in a job search when we all know what the current job market is like. Plus, everyone around us is (understandably!) either worried about their job security or recently downsized…which makes us feel worried, too! There are industries with no jobs, companies shutting down, and bills piling up. So, how can you stay positive and keep on searching if you believe your efforts will be fruitless?

Sometimes it helps to vent, to complain, and yes, to whine……to “let it out” and get it out of the way. So – go ahead and commiserate with your friends…..and then move on! Sitting around brooding is not going to get you a new job. In fact, continuing to focus on the negative will affect your mood, your efforts, and the way you come across to others. I recommend you take steps to help be more POSITIVE which will help with your search in the long run:

Be sure you are realistic in your search - Are you targeting positions that you are qualified for? If not, explore your options.

Enjoy a hobby or fitness activities – It may help to have a release for any negative energy and will probably put you in a happier, healthier frame of mind when you meet others.

Enlist the support of friends and family – Let them know how they can help you. Be frank if they are pressuring you unreasonably. Include them in what steps you are taking to reach your goals.

Learn something new – Learning new things can motivate you to feel excited about yourself, and could potentially help you in some way.

Be interested in others – Listen to what is going on for them and see how you can help in any way.

Consider a part-time position – Perhaps there is something part-time or flexible that would bring in some money to help with the bills in the meantime.

Check out job transition groups – These can be a wonderful support to you during these times, and most likely can help with effective, productive strategies for your search.

I hope these tips help you in some way! Best of success in your search!