For the past few days, I have been writing about patterns of employment in these troubled times. I have drawn on the experience of actual clients, who have generously agreed to let me share their stories with you, hoping to show you that good things do happen to diligent job-seekers.
My third example of good change coming to a client is Dan. He’s young, he’s an artist, he is trying to support himself. He was gainfully employed in an arts program until a year ago. After his program ended, he accepted a job by some friendly people who offered to train him in a related artistic field. Let’s just say that it didn’t work out. After an awkward period of extricating himself from this situation, he’s starting over, wondering what to do next.
He’s still an artist, but probably doesn’t want to work solely as a creator. Arts management looks better and better. Currently, he has started a restaurant job, with the most appealing features being that he can walk away at any time without feeling guilty, he eats well, is around nice folks, and continues his job search.
Reluctantly, at my urging, he did two things: contact key people in his network and register at a temp agency. The network seemed reasonable to him, the agency did not, but he did it. Here’s what happened next.
The agency called back. The called said there was a perfect job opening for him at a small art studio and school. They wanted a business manager, with decent pay and flexible hours.
Dan also contacted a professor from his college. The professor called back. She let Dan know that their department will be hiring a part-time staff person. She invited Dan to tour the facility, where he met key people who urged him to apply.
Where do things stand now? The art school has scheduled a second interview. And the college has requested that he schedule an interview with them.
What a grand problem! Dan has moved from unemployed and uncertain to unemployed and in demand. And both opportunities are in his new interest in arts management. We are working on ways to finesse keeping his options open as long as possible.
Dan’s situation, potentially having two part-job offers, is typical of something that happens in tough times. Employers are uncertain of their own situations, such as grants, student enrollment, or budgets. So how do they hire? They do it part-time. And when the economy turns upward, they turn to their loyal part-time staff and offer them more. We hope.
I’m happy that Dan is busy investigating two job opportunities. We don’t know if he will be offered one, both, or none of them. Still, he is meeting people, checking out the effectiveness of his resume, and feeling more confident about his options. If he is offered both part-time jobs, he will have to juggle schedules, travel, and responsibilities. And no one has said anything about health insurance. It’s an exciting, but not perfect situation.
Part-time employment is better than no-time employment.
Are you stuck in your job search? Are you taking advantage of these unique times? If you would like to speak with a career counselor who can help you navigate through the recession, please visit my website for contact information.
