Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 19, 1995 TAG: 9502210005
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: F-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CAMILLE WRIGHT MILLER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A. Sandra Tibbs-Robinson, owner of Administrative Advantages, sees contractors in both one-time and long-term arrangements.
Tibbs-Robinson, an independent contractor, said contractors "create marketing strategies, brochures, support pieces and newsletters. Long-term arrangements involve subcontracting functions such as bookkeeping and payroll."
Contractors often work off site and are paid by the job, a means of using a professional without adding to payroll.
Ann A. Ward, district manager for Manpower International Inc., said temps can be used when employers aren't "sure what's needed for the long run. There are benefits for both employer and temps."
Temps, often between jobs and needing a paycheck, gain access to companies "to see what the politics are like, to meet people in personnel and to demonstrate skills. One-third of people sent to jobs are hired full time," Ward said.
For employers, the hourly rates cover "taxes, workers' comp and benefits. Agencies carry the burden of employers." Temps cover jobs from engineering to janitorial services.
Ward said agencies screen through interviews, maintain a database for customers, conduct criminal screening, handle immigration paperwork and provide personnel functions to protect employers.
Agencies educate temps on "what door to use, job descriptions, clothing expectations, when to take lunch, and if a microwave is available." If personnel problems arise, the agency resolves them, she said.
Review your needs; talk with contractors and agencies. From these conversations, you can identify which source meets your requirements.
Q. Time-management systems I've tried feel artificial; I abandon them in short order. Is there a workable system?
A. A system becomes successful when adapted to fit you. Continue tinkering with it until the system fits, since 20 minutes of planning saves an hour of work.
Like shopping without a list, wandering through the work day means lost time. Walk through your day in advance. Plan tomorrow at today's end; the day is fresh in your mind, and you know what's pressing. Review appointments, projects and tasks.
Create a to-do list with categories: "Priority," "Must be done soon," and "It would be nice." Order items within categories by importance. Note the time needed to complete each task; add "if-something-can-go-wrong-it-will" time. Then schedule your calendar accordingly.
Monitor the list. If, after a week, it hasn't changed, rethink it. Can you delegate or delete tasks? Would devoting a day to finishing easy tasks give you time to tackle larger projects?
Think marbles and bowling balls. A box holds a limited number of balls; adding marbles can fill the box. Schedule big items; keep smaller tasks handy. While on hold during a phone call, write notes or sketch a presentation outline.
Reviewing at day's end organizes tomorrow. Leave work knowing you're on top and can start tomorrow with a sense of direction.
Q. I finished college last year but wasn't ready for a career. I'm ready now but don't know where to start.
A. Create a plan and implement it now. Within weeks, you'll be competing with new graduates. Refer to "The Only Guide to Job Hunting You'll Ever Need" by Kathryn and Ross Petras.
Draft your resume and cover letter. Identify preferred career fields, geographic regions, urban/rural environment and company type. Target a specific market.
Call your college's career office and schedule a resume review. If travel is impossible, ask for a critique and use the mail. Request job listings in your targeted market. Visit the library; review classified ads from major newspapers. Send as many targeted resumes and letters as you can afford.
Schedule information interviews with the person in charge of your desired position at the targeted companies. Ask questions about the field; impress the person with your interest. Such interest may lead to a job offer. If not, it's interview practice.
Send copies of your resume to family members, friends and their parents. Identify associations you already have (church, professionals, etc.) and send them letters. Note your focus and ask them to pass your resume to those who will be interested.
It's never too late for job searching. However, the later one enters, the more polished the written and personal presentation must be. Persistence is a must.
by CNB