How to avoid being jilted by a staffing agency

Posted on 21. Jan, 2011 by ggunn in Blog

Recently I was riding with a group of new business acquaintances who were talking about Staffing Agencies.  One woman was loudly comparing them to “polyester suit wearing insurance sales people.” 

I admit that my calm ‘oh really, why is that?’ response did not accurately portray how I was feeling.  Why?  Because when I was a brand new college graduate, I came up through the amazing sales training ranks of Metropolitan Life and I owe much of my success in running a Staffing Agency to this experience.  (Not to mention that I was fairly confident that the wool stretch skirt I was wearing probably contained hints of polyester.)

She responded by saying, ”Oh you know, they only call if they need you and then they never call you back!”  There wasn’t enough time at that moment to right her perception…nor had she come to that belief dishonestly.  She is correct; many firms are guilty of what she was saying – but not all of them.   I also knew I could help her avoid ever having that happen again.

People have strong opinions when it comes to staffing agencies and they are not always positive.  Why?  Because staffing agency horror stories abound and they can sound something like a disastrous first date.   – Where one party fell hard – the job seeker, and the other – the staffing agent, didn’t.  You know what I’m talking about.  That big rush of attention: where they called and needed you RIGHT NOW, making you feel on top of the world, and then: NOTHING.  Why?   Because it turned out that you actually weren’t a good fit for the position…but instead of explaining this, the agent never called back -and even worse, refused to take your calls when you called out of desperation for information.

However, not all agencies are like this.  Here are 7 tips for successfully working with a staffing agency so that you both get what you want – paid!

  1. You are a consumer and you have options.   Look for an agency that caters to your specific industry and understands that the employer and the job seeker are of equal importance. 
  2. Is the lead solid?  Work with agencies that have sound relationships with their hiring clients.  As a job seeker, it is within your right to respectfully inquire about the working relationship between the employer and the agency before agreeing to be presented for a position. This ensures no surprises at the end of the interview process where the staffing agency hasn’t been properly vetted and therefore cannot be used.
  3. Communication is critical.  Every hour wasted by a job seeker pursuing a dead lead translates to a loss of future revenue.  Only work with agencies that are prompt with their follow up with good or bad news.
  4. Everyone involved in the hiring process: the staffing agency, the job seeker, and the employer, are in this to make money – and that’s okay – respect this.  If you are about to accept another offer let them know.
  5. Work with multiple staffing agencies.  Not all agencies are equal, or more aptly put, not all agencies have the same clients.  The trick is to be open as to which employers are considering you. 
  6. Become a valued partner.  If you are not a perfect fit for a current position, are you for others?  If the answer is yes, than foster this relationship.   Be willing to share the opportunity with others in your network.  Good deeds get attention. You will be remembered and considered for future opportunities.
  7. Trust your gut.  If you don’t like the feel of the relationship that is being fostered with any given staffing agency, you owe it to your career to find another one.

How do I know agencies exist that value job seekers as highly as employers?  Because I run such a firm.  At MGD Services Inc.,  we recognize that the hiring process requires three participants – the employer, the staffing partner, and the job seeker, each playing a uniquely valuable role.  We appreciate that all parties deserve equal consideration and respect.  This simple rule has led to the successful placement of hundreds of job seekers with satisfied employers for the past two decades.

~Gretchen Gunn

Principal, MGD Services Inc., a Certified Woman-Owned Staffing Agency

New to Interviewing? Want to be prepared or wing it like David Sedaris?

Posted on 07. Jan, 2011 by ggunn in Blog

Let’s face it, most of us find interviewing right up there with going to the dentist and speaking in public.  Those of us who have been in the world of work for a decade or two are better equipped to prepare for and navigate an interview process than anyone who is just about to kick off a career. 

What happens when you are not prepared?  A story as told by David Sedaris, author and frequent contributor to The New Yorker and Public Radio International’s, This American Life, comes to mind.  David had moved from the Midwest to the Big Apple.  He came with high hopes of becoming the next big writer and commentator.  Unfortunately after extensive attempts to land work in his profession he was desperate for an income of any kind. 

It was the Holiday season and he saw that Macy’s was hiring.  Completely unprepared for an interview, he winged it and answered questions tongue in cheek and as such, he landed a job as the holiday elf, Crumpet.  Why?  Because he was short and the green velvet costume fit.

Want to avoid being relegated to wearing green velvet?  Join me and an amazing group of individuals January 8, 2011 between 10:45-5:45 at the NY Athletic Club to learn how at a paradigm-busting career development event that will help position you to show you’ve got what it takes. Whether searching for your first job or upping your professional value, bubble2boardroom | NY offers amazing resources, all in one place and in one afternoon, that will arm you with actionable tools to get that strategic advantage.

This is a full day, FREE event designed to support you as you take your first step toward a successful and rewarding career. Up close and personal.

This is so NOT your parents’ job fair. Register now.  http://bubble2boardroom.eventbrite.com

Perfect Your One Sentence Pitch at WBF on January 5th

Posted on 27. Dec, 2010 by ggunn in Blog

The Women’s Business Forum (WBF) is proud to present job search expert Gretchen Gunn of MGD Services on the topic of “Presenting Yourself with a One Sentence Pitch.”

 

WHEN:                Wednesday, January 5, 2011;  8:00 – 9:00 a.m. (FREE)

 

WHERE:             The James-Lorah House; 132 North Main Street; Doylestown, PA 18901

How often have you been faced with the question, “What do you do?” only to find yourself stammering to provide a succinct, attention-grabbing answer?   In a difficult economy, attracting new business or a new job requires clear, concise communication skills.  A perfect one-sentence pitch will engage listeners and make them want to know more about you.  Once you have their attention, you can provide the important details which will result in new business and new opportunities. 

Join the WBF and MGD Services Principal Gretchen Gunn as Gretchen takes attendees through an exercise designed to perfect your pitch as well as help you write a cover letter and resume summary highlighting the details of your experience using the “Hero Resume” format she shares with her clients.

Gretchen Gunn is a Principal Officer of MGD Services, a woman-owned business and full-service search firm specializing in employee search, placement, retention, and transition services.  Gretchen has consistently been a top performer in staffing management in multiple industries and has helped to create Wired4Hire, a program utilizing a team approach to help job seekers develop innovative job search strategies.

The Women’s Business Forum™ (www.womensbusinessforum.org) is a non-profit organization that educates, mentors and inspires women business leaders and entrepreneurs to build and sustain viable businesses. It does this by providing free group meetings twice a month, special educational sessions throughout the year, one-on-one mentoring opportunities and valuable business resources. For more information, call 267-337-6073.

 

FDA Warning Letters Headed “To The Cloud”

Posted on 14. Dec, 2010 by ggunn in Blog

The best part of my job is that I get to associate on a daily basis with outstanding individuals in a broad array of industries.  What is even better is that these people are often willing to share their expertise with me and now with you. 

John English is such an individual and someone who always has his finger on the pulse of Pharmaceutical world and how the FDA regulates what happens in that world.  For those of you who understand this world read on.  For those that don’t,  I hope that you will read this as well and appreciate some of the changes that are taking place in this arena and in light of the newest technology trend:  Cloud Computing.

~Gretchen Gunn

FDA Warning Letters Headed “To The Cloud”

The intensity of FDA enforcement efforts as well as their efforts at transparency have both increased significantly this year.  The number of Warning letters that are dated 2010 and that are currently available on the FDA website has reached a significant milestone.  The number of letters that have already been put on the website to date this year exceed the total number issued by FDA in any single year since 2004.

Just reading the public press will tell you that FDA enforcement activities have been ramped up.  The numbers referenced by the DOJ this week (07 DEC) point out over $4 billion dollars in fines and recoveries related to the healthcare industry during the last 2 years.  http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/December/10-civ-1398.html

The number of warning letters is also on the increase when compared to recent levels.  When you look at the numbers provided in the last issue of the FDA Enforcement Story, the average number for the total Warning Letters issued by all Centers was 543.  This covers FDA Fiscal Years (FY) 2004 thru 2008.  That average is skewed by the 2004 number which was over 700.)  While there are no official numbers yet for 2009, here is an estimate for 2010 based upon available date.

Thus far, during this calendar year of 2010, the FDA has made over 530 Warning Letters dated 2010 available on their website.  Please note that the word is “available” and not “issued.”  

  1.  The FDA website currently has over 1500 warning letters available, covering the years 1996 thru 2010.  Of these, the letters dated 1996 thru 12/31/2009 totaled 1,000.  Therefore 35% of the letters currently available were issued this year.
  2. During the most recent 5 year period used above, the total number of letters issued by all Centers was over 1700.  The number of those available on the website is slightly over 350 – about 21% of the total or a mean of just over 70 per year.

 

I do not believe that the number made available so far in 2010 suggests that the number of letters issued will be in the thousands.  What the data does show is that the Agency FOI group is making a huge effort to provide data on a scale we have not seen before.  This may have been enabled by the new website capabilities – it may be in response to increased requests – or the pace of enforcement activities/ discretion may be what is driving it.  In any event, there has been a significant change in the number available.  At the current rate, the site will be making its next full thousand (‘the 2000th’) available around the time Derek Jeter gets his 3,000th hit as a Yankee – apologies for the sports reference – unless there are significant changes in industry compliance levels or Agency Enforcement efforts. 

This is not to pretend all Warning Letters are equal and the Agency is also dealing with numerous ‘internet-only companies’ which will increase the numbers.  It is fair to say that the full 2010 numbers in Enforcement Story will be interesting.  Oh, as for 2009, there were no total numbers available to me as noted already, but there are over 150 letters dated 2009 on the website.  This is more than double the mean number for the prior five years. 

Sources:  These numbers are available on the FDA website or on request from John.T.English@prodigy.net     
                 

 From www.FDA.gov – Enforcement Story Archive

Chart 1: Total Warning Letters Posted For All Centers – Most recent Five Year Period (Mean = 543)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chart 2:  Total Warning Letters Posted For All Centers – From Year of Oldest Letter Posted to 2006

 

Don’t Be Derailed by the Holidays!

Posted on 01. Dec, 2010 by ggunn in Blog

Happy December!  Really?  It’s December???  This is a perfect example of how I need to practice what I preach and NOT let the Holiday Season derail MGD’s efforts to get America back to work!  Distractions are plentiful these days and staying focused has been a challenge.

And on that note:  I wanted to keep everyone in the loop with the wonderful progress our Flemington Wired4Hire Members are making.  The fastest way to do this is to post our meeting minutes from last week.  I also want to invite NJ and NYC job seekers to take a look at our open positions and please apply online or forward them to anyone who might be interested.   Why am I so passionate about you not losing your job search momentum at this time of year?  Because I know firsthand that companies are hiring…and hiring frantically to get people on board by the end of the year.  Please trust me on this!  We are busier working with clients to fill openings right now than we have been all year.  We worked over the Holiday weekend to catch up.  We just canceled our vacation to Lake Tahoe to keep our momentum going!  IF that isn’t motivation enough to focus on your job search than I just plain give up! 

I’m kidding of course.  I will never give up on anyone looking for work.   Therefore if you are feeling overwhelmed in your job search here’s one opportunity I offer to help you stay motivated.  Please join me and Joe Barnes on Friday’s Wired4Hire teleseminar series where we will talk about overcoming that dreaded word “NO” when you are either calling about an opportunity or overcoming any objection you encounter during your job search process.  The call is at noon Eastern Standard Time.    I hope you can join us.   Here is the call in information:

Date: Friday, December 03, 2010
Start Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Std Time
End Time: 12:55 PM Eastern Std Time
Dial-in Number: 1-218-936-4141 (Midwest)
Access Code: 9965016

As promised:  Here’s a peek at what happens in our Wired4Hire sessions for anyone living near Flemington NJ and interested in applying to join.

Have a great week and Happy Hanukkah!

~Gretchen

Wired4Hire Networking Meeting Notes

Panera Bread, Flemington

November 18, 2010

 Attendees:  Kathy Banks, Joe Barnes, Pernilla Frish, Rhonda Goldberger, Gretchen Gunn, Ed Murphy, Bev Nyberg & Manny Rechani

 Minutes from November 18th

 Member Updates

    • Each attendee was asked to discuss their boldest move forward (personal and/or professional).
      • Joe B – Boldest & “No’s”:  Contacted Phadia for open position.  Informed he’s over qualified for position. 
      • Kathy B – Boldest:  Finally filed reports to London based company.  Starting in Jan planning on submitting reports on weekly basis, no longer will procrastinate report submissions. 

“No’s”:  Received no “No’s” this week.  Submitted resume for SF, CA sales position.

  • Manny R – Founder Factory (http://www.founderfactory.com/) located in Philly. The Founder Factory is an annual event created by Philly Startup Leaders, meant to help foster growth of an ecosystem of entrepreneurs, mentors, angels, VC’s, students, schools and government groups within the Philadelphia area. As a collaborative and engaging event, the Founder Factor helps to unleash Philadelphia’s entrepreneurial potential.

Boldest:  Working on landing a role/position at Lexus Nexus.  Trying to find niche at Director level.  Will go on some informational interviews.

“No’s”:  All the time.  NC Compan CEO provided some expert advice from on direction to go – analytical direction (software platforms).  Connected with John Rooney – looking for someone to drum up business.

  • Bev N – Need to fine tune yourself, be flexible willing to try.  Boldest:  Followed-up with Mr. Crabby.  Created & completed logo for Bernardsville Soccer.

“No’s”:  Several maybe’s – willing to freelance and consult

  • Pernilla:  Boldest:  Not working on job search.  Looking at resume to account for things accomplished.  Decided to go outside normal curriculum at Rutger’s.

“No’s”:  None to speak of at this time.

Talk about things you’ve done as an expert – cognitive experience, internalize position.

  • Rhonda G:  Boldest:  Focusing on getting my handcrafted jewelry prepared for upcoming craft shows. 

“No’s”:  None because not job hunting at this time.

  • Ed M:  Boldest:  Taproot Foundationpro-bono consulting group in NYC working with non-profits (http://www.taprootfoundation.org/) Taproot Foundation leverages business people’s experiences and pulls them together to donate their time (100 hrs.) over 3-6 months.  Need to go to NYC to sign up for this – giving back to others.  A good mix of execs, directors and unskilled workers.

“No’s”:  Houston, TX football team marketing – found someone else for the position.

  • Gretchen G – Boldest:  Asked and met with United Way and Novartis.  Working on proposal RFO with Lexus Nexus

Positions available: 

     -  Sr. HR Director @ Lexus Nexus

     -  VP of QA @ Madison Square Garden, looking to see if it is    

          feasible to bring in on-site QA Coordinator

“No’s”:  None discussed.

  •  Gretchen pitching to United Way for funding for Wired4Hire.  Looking to do work, similar to Taproot Foundation, proactively go in with business plan/case for doing it initially pro-bono work for small businesses.
  •  Gretchen informed the Wired4Hire group that she will continue to be focused on Wired4Hire through the end of the 2010.  Starting in 2011 Wired4Hire will meet monthly (10 session) and there will be a charge for this service.

 Next Meeting:  Thursday, 12/2, 8:30 am at Panera Bread, Flemington

November 4th Wired4Hire Guest Speaker

Posted on 03. Nov, 2010 by ggunn in Blog

A MESSAGE FROM GRETCHEN GUNN

 

Wired4Hire Guest Speaker

I am really excited to introduce Thursday’s guest speaker.  Dani and I met in Dallas in April.  She is smart, savvy and head and shoulders above many of the career coaches and trainers I have known.  Her advice is grounded in practical theory and not opinion.  I can’t wait to hear what she has planned for us.

See you Thursday at 8:30 am in Flemington!

Gretchen

Dani Ticktin Koplik

Dani Ticktin Koplik, principal of dtkResources, is a results-winning, certified executive & performance coach, speaker and trainer skilled at catalyzing change and extracting peak performance from her clients. She has particular expertise in equipping today’s multi-generational and diverse workforce with the self-management skills necessary to survive (and thrive) in the new business reality. In addition to selective one-on-one coaching, Koplik delivers high-impact, high return workshops and seminars for companies intent on maximizing their human capital. Among her offerings are three customizable programs: “From Bubble to Boardroom” for GenY’s emerging professionals, “PowerUP!” for professional and executive women and “From Obstacles to Opportunities: Navigating a Career in the Current Business Climate.” Ms. Koplik is also a mentor, frequent guest lecturer and moderator for her alma mater, Brown University; a speaker at Women For Hire’s Career Boot Camp; a pro bono coach for the Englewood Women’s Center and a regular columnist for North Jersey Media Group, writing on career management in the new business environment.

Wired4Hire goes Wireless

Posted on 23. Oct, 2010 by ggunn in Blog

Join Gretchen Gunn and a host of guest speakers via conference call every Friday at noon eastern standard time as we discuss best practices for your job search.

Email us at info@mgdservices.com to be added to the call list.

Here’s what listeners are saying about these conversations:

“It was perfect.  You are really wired to your audiences’ needs.”  ~Donna Roberts -Trainer and guest speaker (she could be biased:~)) So here are a few more.   Hope you join us next week!

~ Gretchen

“Thank you so much for the conference call today.  I always learn so much from you and your presenters.  You and Donna have given me a lot to think about.” ~Norma Ferro 

“Bravo, what a wonderful meeting today.  Thank you so much (to you and Donna)! ~ Ilene Silver
“Thank you.  Great Presentation” ~MJ

Have you redeemed your free Wired4Hire strategy session?

Posted on 20. Oct, 2010 by ggunn in Blog

The Wired4Hire bumper sticker sightings are becoming more frequent.  Love to see them!  Have you taken your picture yet?  If so, send it in.  Love to see YOU in the shot as well – but not mandatory.

Scheduling sessions for next week on Wednesday and Friday between 2- 4 pm.

Calling all Wired4Hire Entrepreneurs

Posted on 19. Oct, 2010 by ggunn in Blog

Okay Wired4Hire members here is why you should talk to everyone about how YOU are Wired4Hire.  This is an example of how networking in traditional and creative ways pays off.

I met Gene Sower, owner of SamsonMedia, through Ken Lang, then E-Marketing manager for MGD, and recently employed at Sharp. (Congratulations Ken!)  Ken and Gene were schoolmates.  Gene and I met at a networking event Ken dragged me to almost a year ago.  It took me two hours to get to the seminar.  I was beginning to think I hadn’t made the best use of my time (and having some choice words for Ken since this was HIS idea) until I got to the presentation.  Gene’s presentation had immediate value and I was glad I finally made it.

I’ve been ‘following’ Gene on Social Media since and when I saw the offer listed below I picked up the phone and made an impassioned pitch to him for all of you… I’d love to tell you it was a perfect pitch.  It wasn’t.  But as I say in our sessions… Perfect is overrated.  It was good enough. 

Gene agreed to make the same offer available to Wired4Hire members.  IF anyone is looking to market themselves or a new business online… Run to your computer and make your pitch to Gene and take advantage of this amazing offer.

Thank you Gene and SamsomMedia for helping get Americans back to work, and in this case for themselves!

~ Gretchen Gunn

Calling all Wired4Hire Entrepreneurs

A recent survey  of more than 4,400 workers conducted in June, showed that one-fourth of workers laid off in the past six months are considering starting a business instead of finding a new job.

Unemployment can sometimes be the push that a closet entrepreneur may need to pursue their desire to build a better mousetrap or finally get off the 9 – 5 treadmill.

Not that being your own boss is a bed of roses either.  Simply paying the bills during the start-up phase can be a real challenge. But for the purposes of this discussion, let’s assume you’ve put some money aside or have the support of a significant other to help support your transition.

Either way, first time entrepreneurs are often faced with a mountainous to-do list to get started, that can include such mundane but important tasks as carving out a workspace, getting a new computer or creating a web presence.

As someone who worked a 9 – 5 job for over 20 years and now has their own business for the last five, I can tell you that there is no singular investment in your business, old or new, that’s more important than a web presence of some kind.  Yes, I might be a bit biased, considering that my business now involves building websites and implementing Internet marketing strategies for small and medium-sized businesses.  But I think everyone can agree that some type of Internet presence is critical for any business in terms of credibility and simply as a source of information that can be found, indexed and returned by the search engines, which have become the modern day version of the Yellow Pages.

To that end, and as a show of support for MGD’s Wired4Hire program we’re offering a complete Internet marketing package, worth over $5,000, available to one lucky entrepreneur, as part of out “Why Your Business Needs A Blog” promotion.  All we’re asking is for would-be entrepreneurs to tell us how a website/blog would help you realize your entrepreneurial dreams.  All details for entering the contest can be found at www.samsonmedia-blog.com.

Gene R. Sower is the owner of SamsonMedia.net, an interactive agency specializing in website development, search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing and social media marketing.  Based in Montclair, New Jersey, SamsonMedia.net has a diverse base of small business clients as well as large accounts like Cisco Systems.

Prior to starting SamsonMedia.net in late 2005, Gene was the VP of Production for West Glen Communications in New York, which specialized in producing and distributing broadcast-quality public relations TV and radio content for Fortune 100 companies.

Wired4Hire new member feedback

Posted on 17. Sep, 2010 by ggunn in Blog

Wired4Hire met this week on Thursday and had guest speaker, Donna Roberts, remind us through her well thought out and flawlessly delivered presentation about how important effective communication is to us all.  Thank you Donna for your time and advice!

Ilene Silver, new member had the following to say:

Dear Gretchen,

 Thank you again for inviting me to your Wired4Hire session yesterday, I look forward to attending more of these meetings. It’s because of individuals like you, Donna, and the attendees—and the positive energy exuded—that these precarious times don’t seem that difficult.

You are welcome Ilene!  You are a valuable addition to the group and we look forward to your input and success in landing your next gig!

One of the recurring topics has been about how these dedicated individuals are being treated in the interview process.  One woman who was on an interview recently shared how she was one of a handful of candidates that were all brought in on the same day for the same position.  This was a little awkward don’t you think? 

They sat side by side in the lobby sizing each other up and waiting for their turn at a shot for the job.  This was a Director level position.  We’re not talking about an opportunity in which many people might be needed.  I could see the need for bringing many people in at once in cases of the recent sensus  – but not this type of role.  Sadly she didn’t get the job.   She did receive what she called a ‘charming’ letter telling her she didn’t get it.  The letter was addressed to “Dear Candidate”.  Needless to say she was in need of some comfort from the group and a lot of encouragement to get back into the job hunt. 

It also points once again to a miss that organizations continue to make which they can easily fix… and which MGD Services can help them fix.  For more information on a special report regarding how clients are losing millions on carelessly treating candidates, go to: http://mgdservices.com/mgd-services/special-report-form/

Wired4Hire is now on twitter!  Follow us there. http://twitter.com/

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