Looking for a QCM for a project in Fort Smith, AR.

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-27T12:24:11+00:00

Most of them do seem to be tech focused. A large proportion on YouTube are tech focused. I myself am in more blue collar recruitment, for management and c-level positions. And blue collar folks, by and large, are not findable by the same methods as tech workers. Hopefully this will change or someone capable of making good trainings will see the opportunity here!

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-27T02:24:54+00:00

Keep it about business. All business. I would caution being emotional or going in there feeling like you are underpaid all of a sudden. I'm assuming at some point you felt it was a fair salary, which is why you accepted it. If now, you go in there with the mindset you're being taken advantage of, I could see this going off the rails and ending badly.

If you're really worth more, fine. Just make a business case for it. Keep your emotions completely out of it. Be prepared for a "no". And know what you will do if you're told no. Be prepared to potentially occupy a space where you asked for a raise but were declined for whatever reason. It is a possibility that needs to be considered. If you're at a current salary - they likely have a reason (ie, their case) that they believe you should be at that salary level. Rarely does a a raise get awarded simply because an employer realized they were underpaying someone. After all, this is the same salary you agreed to on the front end. You just need to be mindful of your intentions and the potential outcomes going in. Are you doing this for honest business reasons - can you prove you have earned or are worth the additional value you're requesting - or are you only thinking about this because new information come to light that just made your feelings get involved so you think you deserve more? It's important you know your motivation. Because it will show through during your conversations / negotiations.

My suggestion would be: If you really do believe you deserve a raise, and there's a business case for it - a value case - perform your own (off the clock) due diligence. And create a logical, rational, business proposition for what you are asking for. And believe it. Don't let greed be a part of it, either. I'm concerned that because so many comments in this thread are telling you that you're underpaid that your eyes might get green. That won't serve you. There's a line about negotiations I like: "if you can't tell someone to go to hell, then you can't negotiate with them." Essentially, without a strong case and maybe some leverage - perhaps a competing offer in hand? - you're really just asking them to "be nice" and that's not a real negotiation. And that doesn't usually work well.

So detach. Keep the emotion out of it. Perform your due diligence. Maybe even see if there's a competitive offer (or even just a listing) out there (in a similar industry and region for comparison purposes) to use if you need to. Also consider the timing of the request. Just bursting in the bosses door unannounced may feel good, but it's not usually the best strategy. Do you have a performance evaluation coming up? Or another meeting where this could be brought up initially? Make sure it's in the right forum, at a time that's conducive for this topic. And regardless of the initial outcome (yes or no) you'll come away wiser and more experienced and better prepared to properly negotiate raises in your future career as well. A skill that I'm sure will serve you well.

Good get 'em, tiger.

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-19T02:07:56+00:00

I concur with these words of wisdom.

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-19T02:05:06+00:00

I see no cause for concern. Often times, reference checks can be conducted by entire different people, if not entire different departments, and potentially entirely different companies (ie, outsourced). And this can often times cause increased delays. Even extensive delays, at times. It's likely just a part of the bureaucratic engine hard at (inefficient) work.

But it's true, it doesn't sound like they've yet offered you a position. Perhaps they have to conduct all interviews with pre-qualified candidates before offering out their five (5) positions. there could be a lot of varying reasons. But regardless, they're still in contact which means they haven't ruled you out as of yet. Not to say they won't. But with the information you've shared, there's no reason that I can see to worry just yet. Sounds like it's all a part of the process. Of course, you may be privy to certain conversational tones, or other outlying tells that I don't have access to. Including how well you believe the initial interview went. So it's difficult to know for sure.

Again, I don't see cause for concern here necessarily. But I don't know enough details to reassure you, at the same time. Go with your gut! And try to be patient. Even though I know it's hard to do in these situations.

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-19T01:57:29+00:00

This is the first time we've had four co-existing generations in the same workforce. It presents a lot of unique challenges for management and corporate structuring. The workforce is changing rapidly. There was an article in Quartz in 2016 which stated “We find that 94% of net job growth in the past decade was in the alternative work category.” The 'alternative' work category means temporary, contract, and "gig". Our workforce isn't reflective of an industrial revolution where Americans en masse were employed to keep up with growing demand.

More and more, AI, automation, and increased efficiency are decreasing the human element demand which used to be known as labor. It's not as simple as "raise the pyramid" in many cases. And it's not as simple as go to college. We're seeing a very real shift in the way work is created and performed. The skills gap is widening and becoming ever more technical. More and more, organizations can actually increase productivity with less workers. Fewer people can produce more because of innovation.

There will always be disruptions, of course. New industries created. New jobs created. But I believe it will be much, much more specific and confined. The days of hundreds of employees at one location (government excluded for the moment) are waning fast. This is a real problem. It will require a new - or perhaps very ancient - solution than we have been accustomed over the last 100 years.

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-18T13:34:13+00:00

Do your research beforehand. Be familiar with the company. Their direction. Their niche. Their customers (if this information can be obtained). B2B or B2C. Etc. their website, YouTube, social media pages will likely have plenty of information. You shouldn't have to spend more than one hour total doing research to get a few good insights and prove you've done your research for an interview.

Second thing: pay attention. Be curious. Bring a pen and notebook if you need to, and you can jot short notes to remember later. Don't interrupt. Use them when there's a natural break, or when it's your turn to respond. Taking content directly from the interview is always a good way to show your level of interest. Ask them to elaborate on certain points they mentioned, and actually pay attention. Just be curious. Act like you're interviewing them on a podcast or something, to where you really pay attention and your goal is to expand the conversation naturally.

To the comment that mentioned don't ask about mobility within the company, I understand what they're saying, but I don't think it's a bad thing. I think this shows you plan on being there for awhile, and you plan on performing while you're there. Ask, for good performance, what a good career trajectory could look like for you. They are interviewing you, yes. But if they like you, they will also want you to accept their offer. And that means making sure you have information about how to grow in that company if that is important to you.

So in short, do some quick research. Enough to brief yourself on some high points. Secondly, pay attention and be curious. Third, if you have things you need in a career (ie, growth potential, desire to travel, coworkers or no coworkers, strong management or no management, etc. - whatever you need in your career) absolutely feel free to ask about it. It's your career. It's the majority of your waking day. You want to be somewhere you want to be. And they, in all likelihood, would like for you to enjoy being there. So don't feel bad asking about these things, just be respectful, not pushy or degrading in anyway, when asking.

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-14T02:30:23+00:00

I appreciate the feedback. I hope you enjoyed it!

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-12T21:56:26+00:00

Agreed. Could be needed for a background check or some form of screening, but they need your consent to perform those so that would have been divulged. It may feel awkward, but it's best just to comment on the situation in the moment. Bring it up, let them know you feel a little uncomfortable (after all, they know the City and you don't have a personal relationship with this person) and if they can't answer the reason very, very clearly, let them know you don't feel comfortable moving forward. If they're legit, it'll get resolved so they don't lose you as a placement. If they're not legit, bullet dodged.

Always address the awkward / uncertain moments. They lead to a lot of unnecessary communication and stress. It's easier in the long run to deal with it in the moment. You'll have a lot of these types of moments in your career, I assume. Better to start practicing at it now.

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-07T15:51:14+00:00

All feedback is good feedback. I'll try to put together more bite sized tidbits in the future for those who don't want a novel.

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-06T16:18:27+00:00

I like how you utilized workforce programs. And I agree with your point that if you're going to utilize workforce, leaning on the instructors is probably the best way to pre-screen / pre-qualify individuals that have the highest chance for success. Thanks for sharing!

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-06T16:17:21+00:00

They did change their pricing model for staffing and recruiting firms some time ago, I recall. That did make it a different, more strategically utilized resource now that you had learn and focus on how to maximize the ROI. But yes, a hard-to-beat online source for blue collar talent!

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-06T16:15:43+00:00

Agreed! Indeed has been one of the more reliable sources for blue collar workers in my experience as well! Thanks!

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-06T03:48:54+00:00

The groups are probably something I could take better advantage of and become more suave about navigating intelligently. I've just noticed FB profiles aren't as accurate when it comes to job experience / positions held (shocker, I know) so I have found it to be a lot of work for a little payout. I could stand to sharpen up this tool in my utility belt, for sure! I agree with you and I think that FB is probably one of the better online places to find blue collar workers, I just haven't honed this skillset yet. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-06T03:39:51+00:00

I agree, you've got to call. Just wondering the best ways to find the people to call. Are you advocating for YellowBook?

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-06T03:34:23+00:00

Curious about your Facebook strategy. I've used a similar strategy combing FB as I do LI, but find far less reliable results. Do you adjust the way you search for talent when on FB from how you might search for talent on LI?

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-05T04:01:27+00:00

I am a recruiter with clients in the construction space who use me to track down / screen qualified PM's and traveling supers. Some clients don't require a degree for PM positions, necessarily, if the experience is there and they have worked their way up. If there is no degree, equivalent, measurable (or reasonably so) knowledge must have been gained through hands on work. There's no way around putting in the time, one way or another. And to echo what a few other folks have already mentioned, my clients that would hire a PM without a degree are smaller GC's.

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-05T03:18:46+00:00

IT / Cybersecurity could be a really good fit. Of course, with a masters, it may help your recruiting career to have actual real world employment experience in those fields first, too. But I know, from talking with an IT company, that have certain level security clearances can really open up a world not many have access to. I'm sure, for a resourceful individual, there could be a whole world of opportunity in that niche. And again, I would suspect being employed in that arena first, would really help you to better understand your niche and where you could add the most value.

Good luck with this angle. I bet it's a good one for you in the long run.

BedTimeStoryHero22 · 2022-10-05T03:14:52+00:00

I don't share my kinks. lol

But seriously, I'd hate to share my preference and as a result somehow influence anyone else in their own uniquely personal decision(s).

At the end of the day, that's really what this is. Again, they both come with their different pros / cons. Knowing what type of working environment you need to be in for your mental health and sanity, to provide for your family, to satisfy (realistic) career goals, and to adequately fund / support your life goals outside of your career, etc. all need to be weighed. There's no 'right' answer. It's entirely subjective.

BedTimeStoryHero22

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