Community Connections

For a non-profit agency in today's economic climate, collaboration is the most important strategy for sustainability and growth. Collaboration is something that many organizations either don't want to do, don't know how to do, or refuse to do. It is a fundamental principle of the Hire Learning vision to connect and collaborate with other community stakeholders, and I don't understand why more agencies do not find it vitally important to do so.

So, this is how I see it: 1) resources are limited - anyone funded by the State of Illinois knows this painfully well; 2) community need is vast; 3) even if I wanted to, I CANNOT serve everyone that needs to be serviced. Understanding these three variables, I believe that my willingness to collaborate makes my delivery more efficient and impactful.

No, I am not bragging on how fabulous we are (although we are pretty dope!), but at this moment I am humbled and appreciative of the new partnership created between Hire Learning and the Salvation Army Joan and Ray Kroc Community Center! After much conversation about the needs of the 34th Ward community, their Board has agreed to partner with Hire Learning to offer Information Technology certification classes to any WIA eligible community members! Participants will be able to learn computer repair and maintenance, networking, IT security, website development, and Microsoft Office Suite. Classes are tentatively scheduled to begin in early October (Please check our website for updated information.) As well, participants will receive soft skills training such as resume writing, interviewing and job search techniques.

Today's jobs require employees to have technical knowledge. We are interested in providing real solutions to unemployment by giving people the skills they need to move into high-wage earning industries, and make enough money to really take care of themselves and their families. And we are thrilled to be in partnership with the Salvation Army to better serve the community!

NO EXPERIENCE? NO PROBLEM!

One of the biggest fears of many first time employees is the lack of experience in their fields. This insecurity is common and understandable due to the learning curve that most of us face when we are entering a new field or a new position. The good news is, however, that the lack of experience has many positive advantages!

So, when you’re preparing for your interview and feel like you might not be ready for the job, remember you just might have more to offer than you think!

(And, this week, we are going to cheat on our Friday Fives and give you the first 4 from Glassdoor Blog and the last one from us! Why are we cheating? Because we like what they have to say!)

Today’s Friday Five!

5 Advantages Inexperienced Job Seekers Bring to Employers

1.    You Are Moldable

First of all, you haven’t developed any of the bad habits that someone with years of ‘know-how’ may have picked up along the way. What this means to a hiring manager is that you can be molded and trained to their way of doing things. And, the last thing any manager wants to hear from a newly hired employee is how the last company they worked for did things ‘this way’ or ‘that way.

Employers have already spent the time and money developing their own way of doing things, and an inexperienced employee is usually more likely to be on board with learning and taking ownership of these established practices. This, of course, helps to keep things moving along smoothly since the disruptive nature of someone set in their ways can sometimes upset the workplace apple cart.

2.    You Are Excited

Your lack of experience lends itself to youthful exuberance for the task at hand. Like someone seeing the Grand Canyon or Disney World for the first time, a neophyte is seen as being more excited about learning all there is to know about their new position. You are seen as not only receptive, but anticipatory of the next challenge, and can hardly wait to meet and conquer whatever challenge is put before you. This is a trait that is more often than not almost non-existent in someone who “has been there, done that.”

3.    You Pitch In

While more experienced employees may have created impenetrable boundaries as to what their job duties are, you lack preconceived notions as to your job description limitations, knocking down impassable walls toward productivity. Your openness to doing “whatever it takes” to pitch in and get the job done for the good of the team is refreshing.

4.    You Are a Bargain

Of course, it would be naive to think that the company isn’t watching its bottom line when they choose to hire someone lacking experience. Profit is and always will be the key motivator for any company. And that’s a good thing for all involved. After all, if the company isn’t making money, they certainly don’t need you.

5.    You Have a Fresh Perspective

Seeing things through new eyes often uncovers a perspective that hasn’t been seen. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and let your employer know that you are able to. A company with diverse staff with diverse thinking creates an innovative environment – be ready to jump in and add your own flavor!

(Source: Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, MRW; Glassdoor.com)

If you are looking for training or work readiness services, visit Hire Learning Career Development Academy at www.hirelearningonline.org, follow us on Twitter at #hire_learning, or contact us 708-856-0623.

Look for more great information in our next Friday Five next week!

We've Been Out of Touch! But I'm Back With Our Friday Fives!

Hey Hire Learning blog friends, I have certainly not been a good friend! I have truly ignored you these last few weeks; but only because so much good stuff has been happening for us! One of the new activities that we have undertaken has been something that we call our "Friday Fives." Its weekly tips that will keep our readers on top of the trends in employment and careers to ensure that Hire Learning readers are always informed and ready to put their best feet forward as they pursue their career goals.

Since I have been remiss in making sure that this information has been updated here, I will post all of the Friday Fives that have gone out to our readers until we are up date here, and you have the same information that our database subscribers receive. So enough talking, here's the first installment of the Hire Learning Friday Fives!

PREVIOUSLY POSTED April 6th, 2012

Today’s Friday Five!

The 5 Hottest Careers for 2012

According to Fortune Magazine, “[d]espite the fact that unemployment is stuck around 9%, …nearly 3 million job openings in the US are going unfilled. The biggest reason is a mismatch between the qualifications employers are looking for and the skills job hunters have. Well, if this sounds familiar, Hire Learning can do something about that, but before we go there, here are the hottest careers looking for people like YOU!

1.    Information Technology: consistently considered one of the fastest growing industries, IT openings exist in every single industry in the country. According to a survey by tech job site dice.com, “about 65% of hiring managers said that they hope to add tech staff in the first half of 2012 while a quarter of those (27%) said they want to expand their IT headcount by more that 20%.” Sounds like an opportunity to me!

2.    Health Care: With more and more of the population moving toward senior citizen status, the health care industry has been moving and growing for some time and isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Nurses, therapists, and health care IT professionals are in high demand. With average salaries between $60,000 and $70,000, this industry in nothing to sneeze at (without a Dr’s appointment!)

3.    Engineers: Anyone with a degree in Engineering can write their own ticket – and design it! According to Fortune, 88% of employers in a new poll by the Society for Human Resource Management are having a tough time finding enough engineers in all engineering fields.

4.    Industrial: People from the skilled trades are always needed. Electricians, carpenters, welders, etc. are being sought to replace those retiring from these areas. As well, an increase in need for employees with logistics, supply-chain management and plant management skills are heating up.

5.    Sales: from discount retailers to LED lighting companies, people with a knack for sales are always in demand because they are the ones who keep the cash flow in the black. If you have great customer service skills, there’s someone looking to put you on their team!

If you are looking for training or work readiness services, visit Hire Learning Career Development Academy at www.hirelearningonline.org, follow us on Twitter at #hire_learning, or contact us 708-856-0623.

Look for more great information in our next Friday Five next week!

Helicopter Parents: Don't Hover!

60% of Human Resource professionals have stated that young people graduating from high and college are not ready for the work world. This staggering statistic demonstrates the need for more attention toward our youth's educational experiences. While our high schools focus on test taking and graduation rates, our colleges focus on course principles and theoretical practices, the ultimate goal of education - to assure the creation of a self sufficient and productive labor force - is often lost.

Unemployment rates among young people ages 16-24 are reaching record highs which spells devastation for the future of our labor force. Well, some parents have decided to take things into their own hands. According to a study by Michigan State University, nearly one-third of more than 700 employers surveyed stated that they have received resumes from the parents of students applying for employment. "Helicopter Parents," as they have been named, are attempting to assist their children in a tough economy. What they don't realize is that they are doing their children a disservice.

Often parents are not aware of the latest employment trends, resume writing tips or strategic hiring strategies. Let's face it, today's work world is quite different than it was 20 years ago. The skills that employers seek today didn't even exist then: social media skills, technology know how and even the ability to Skype into a meeting! Although parents, mean well, they may actually do more harm to their children's success in job searching than good.

The best advice for concerned parents is this: assist your child in creating an adult network that can support their goals, make sure that your child receives the soft skills training vital to becoming employable by enrolling them in community workforce programs and let them do what they can do better than anyone - sell their skills and talents to employers who can put them on the road to success.

To read more on "helicopter parents," check out Helicopter Parents Are Leading the Job Hunt for Milliennials .

Youth Unemployment Impacts The Future Workforce - Greatly

The national youth unemployment rate is at a record low of 26%. Young people between the ages of 16-24 are missing vital opportunities to not just make extra money until they begin their "real" jobs, but they are losing critical opportunities to gain crucial work experience and enter into the workforce.

When young people are not exposed to work experiences throughout their teens and early 20's they do not learn the important work skill lessons that make them viable, reliable employees or entrepreneurs. According to Jack Wuest, executive director of Alternative Schools Network, "If they don't have jobs now, they don't know how to work, and if they don't know how to work, they're going to be much less effective and productive workers in their adult lives."

The impact of an ill-prepared workforce impacts not only the economy but the public health system, public safety and of course, the justice system. This should give us all the motivation that we need to ensure that young people receive work and work experiences. We must create, promote and encourage internships, work exploration experiences and summer/part time employment. The future of not only young people, but our very quality of life depends on the viability of our youth. Let's assure a healthy future for them.

For more information, read the entire story at: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=154584.

Summer Employment Forecast for 2012

2010 and 2011 showed record lows for employment for youth and young adults. Youth unemployment reached World War II records of 41% in some areas of the country. When the economy is suffering, young people are the first to be shut out of employment opportunities. When this happens, the impact on future employment for young people in the workforce is exponential. From the lack of spending in the economy (young people ages 14-24 represent an enormous of percentage of consumer purchases) to the lack of skill attainment and ability to gain future employment as an adult, high rates of youth unemployment impact the entire nation.

To address this critical issue, President Obama has launched "The Summer Jobs +" program. This program is a "new call-to-action for businesses, non-profits, and government to provide pathways to employment for low-income and disconnected youth in the summer of 2012." In the midst of the congressional constipation of doing any meaningful work,  this program is the President's way of moving around this nonsense and jump-starting the employment lag. This program brings together the private and public sector to get young people working and participating in the economy.

With national employers already on-board and committed such as JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, UPS, AT&T, The Gap Inc,  Jamba Juice, and many others, this summer will prove to be much more productive for young people.

The companies who have committed to participate will do so through one of three pathways. Through:

• Life Skills Development activities (soft skills training)
• Work Skills Development activities (which include  internships, mentoring and job shadowing)
• Learn and Earn activities (on-the-job skills while earning wages

Understanding the critical importance of youth employment, we applaud the President's efforts and encourage our colleagues to get involved and hire a youth! To read more on this initiative visit: http://www.dol.gov/summerjobs/.

New Year, New Start, New You!

So much good stuff has been happening with the Hire Learning crew since we last posted! We've moved into a new location in Chicago Heights, we've re-organized our service offerings to meet the most need of our population and we've got a new and improved website launching within a week!!

The new year is a great time to re-commit to yourself and to those goals that you want to set for yourself. For young people who have the rest of their lives ahead of them, future planning is often something that goes unattended to. Well, tomorrow creeps up on us fast and before we know it, we've gone years without moving toward those things that we've said we want in life.

Well now is a great time to put a plan of action into place to reach those goals. If your goal happens to be finding a great career, Hire Learning can surely help with that! We are launching the Digital Access Program that will train students to become certified computer technicians, and place them with our corporate partners - not just in jobs, but in life-changing careers. In just 6 months, our students will go from unemployed/under-employed to trained and working in one of the most in-demand fields available - technology.

The new year is the best time to decide to move your life and career in the direction that you want it to go. Call Hire Learning today at 708-856-0623 for information on orientation days and start days!

Here's to a prosperous new year, new start and new you!!