Where's The Jobs??????????????? (Avon: sales, health insurance, construction)

[looking for warmth]

Hi Minnesota...
I have a question about the jobs out there, and I'm wondering if any of you are experiencing the same thing?
My husband and I have been looking for new jobs for months and months...
I'm a graphic designer of 6 years and his in construction sales and has worked for a company for over 20 years, he is very dedicated and such a hard worker, he is very smart and willing to work in any other sales job (with-in limits..........No Avon, cell phones, life insurance, and something that pays $8 an hour etc.) haha

The reason why I'm looking is because I'm PT and need something full time, he's looking because of this wonderful economy is driving the company he's working for to shut the doors soon.... (it hasn't happend yet but its only a matter of time )

We find great opportunity's and apply and nothing..... we call, write update letters, etc. and NOTHING.
I even have a service working to find me something and NOTHING.

I'm so sick of it and its so depressing? Anyone going threw the same thing? If not tell me what were doing wrong? How can we land great jobs and make it through this...

[nick is rulz]

are you registered with any temp firms or staffing agencies? I usually get overwhelmed/annoyed with the application process and unless something sounds great or I have an "in", I just go that route and let them do the work of finding me something. Just specify what you would like to make, and a temp-to-hire preference, and you should be able to line something up.

[golfgal]

I agree, most major companies use Temp Agencies to hire these days. It gives them a chance to test out new employees without having to hire them and then go through the firing process if it doesn't work out.

The construction industry is in the tank so I can understand looking for something else. If he is a good salesperson, there are sales jobs everywhere, getting in the door is something else though.

[looking for warmth]

Originally Posted by nick is rulz

are you registered with any temp firms or staffing agencies? I usually get overwhelmed/annoyed with the application process and unless something sounds great or I have an "in", I just go that route and let them do the work of finding me something. Just specify what you would like to make, and a temp-to-hire preference, and you should be able to line something up.

I'm registered with one staffing agency but my husband isn't, that's another obstacle, WHO DO YOU GO WITH? Who can you trust?? I have one service working for me. But they asked me a few stupid questions and then said, we'll keep looking for ya? That was over 4 months ago? And they never seem to keep in touch....How can I not get ONE thing lined up? I have 6 years of experience in this.... I'm not asking for to much compensation, I just want something full time and with benefits would be really nice.

And the thing that sucks with my husband is that he has been doing this for over 20 years so it's ALL he knows...so that's where its frustrating for him too... so his resume is limited to just that, ....ERRRRRR....

Can you guys tell me of good staffing/temp service to go through.

Thanks you guys for your replys and help too!!!

[moving123456]

Originally Posted by looking for warmth

I'm registered with one staffing agency but my husband isn't, that's another obstacle, WHO DO YOU GO WITH?

All of them. When I move, I put my resume online, then go do the "pre-interview" thing with every one of them that calls me. Right now I am working with atleast 6 different IT staffing places. Are your resumes on the big online job sites? CareerBuilder, Monster, Hotjobs, ETC.....

Some staffing places that I work with are IT related only, but here is a list of some that I think deal with other types of work......

Robert Half International, AeroTek, KForce, Spherion/Mergis, Manpower, AppleOne

Many more exist, but that is a short list to get you started. Go to their websites and submit resumes, they will probably call you soon after.

[golfgal]

I know of a recruiter that is looking to fill some sales positions (not sure what area of sales though). I have his card at work. I can DM you his contact information tomorrow.

[lalife]

I agree with the idea of temping and trying to get good assignments that way. Many companies find their new hires this way. It is a 2 way street tho and good for both sides in order to see what they are getting into.

I work for a Fortune 500 company in Logistics and started as a temp for 3 months before hired on as a company employee. I would do it again if laid off. Just make sure that you have health insurance while temping.

Since you are a graphic designer, it is understandable why you are having trouble finding a permanent position. These types of jobs are being outsourced to independent contractors these days. The company where I work has a few permanent graphics people and the rest of the jobs go thru 3rd parties. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole department gets cut when the new company merger is finished this fall.

As far as construction sales??... Well, that one is alot easier to figure out.............in this housing crash economy.

[nick is rulz]

Generally yeah, if Im job searching I register with at least 3 staffing agencies and let each of them do their thing and just go with whoever finds me the best offer. The larger, nationally known ones tend to get the most contracts (Kelly, Addecco, etc)...but they also may pay less than the smaller local ones. My sister worked with Pro Staff and they were great. She has a wonderful full time job she landed thru them.

Another thing is if you have great selling ability and are personable, some of the recruiting firms may just offer to take you on full time. Ive known people with sales backgrounds that ended up in positions for staffing agencies trying to secure contracts and the like. If your husband has a solid sales background regardless of what it is...I can assure you he CAN find work selling in some sect, and do well at it. The trick would be to find something possibly outside of his professional comfort zone thats going to remain constant in a sagging economy. Shoot, I dont know....if I had a sales background and couldnt find work Id probably try to get on with the Smart Car dealership selling for them since fuel efficiency is important these days. Even if he doesnt have direct experience doing the sales job hes applying for, acting confident and carrying the attitude that he can sell whatever needs to be sold is pretty much a shoe-in. Im sure Im preaching to the choir here though


Moving, have you had good experience with Robert Half? I always tell them "not interested" because Ive heard more horror stories than positive ones.

[looking for warmth]

Originally Posted by golfgal

I know of a recruiter that is looking to fill some sales positions (not sure what area of sales though). I have his card at work. I can DM you his contact information tomorrow.

That would be great... THANK YOU SOOOOOO VERY MUCH!

[looking for warmth]

Originally Posted by lalife

I agree with the idea of temping and trying to get good assignments that way. Many companies find their new hires this way. It is a 2 way street tho and good for both sides in order to see what they are getting into.

I work for a Fortune 500 company in Logistics and started as a temp for 3 months before hired on as a company employee. I would do it again if laid off. Just make sure that you have health insurance while temping.

Since you are a graphic designer, it is understandable why you are having trouble finding a permanent position. These types of jobs are being outsourced to independent contractors these days. The company where I work has a few permanent graphics people and the rest of the jobs go thru 3rd parties. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole department gets cut when the new company merger is finished this fall.

As far as construction sales??... Well, that one is alot easier to figure out.............in this housing crash economy.

I agree with the sales and so does he, (Find something else)... so sad isn't it? As far as me, can ya put in a good word for me!! hahaha
Thank you!!!!