On the hunt

Job hunters take different tactics from traditional job search

By April Lehmbeck
C & G Staff Writer

With the perception that the state is hemorrhaging once-vast job opportunities, job hunters are looking for creative ways to get their foot in the door, and they’re seeking help along the way.

The trend toward job loss was once again confirmed by a U.S. Department of Labor jobs report that came out early this month. The report showed a loss of more than 100,000 private sector jobs in February, which is the steepest monthly loss since spring 2003, according to a press release from U.S. Rep. Sander Levin.

What’s more pressing is that many of those who have lost their jobs are in a rush to replace them; 72,000 Michigan workers will run out of unemployment benefits by June of this year, and that’s a sliver of the 1.3 million who will face this challenge across the nation, Levin said.

When pounding the pavement isn’t working, some people turn to temp agencies, which may be part of a changing landscape of employment.

Chris Raymond, owner of Express Employment Professionals in Roseville, works in a different manner that doesn’t coincide with what many people think these types of firms offer.

Raymond hires about one in five applicants who walk through the door. He purchased the franchise last October, but the business has been in operation in Roseville for 14 years.

“Express is a lot different than other staffing agencies,” he said, adding that employees receive benefits packages.

While general labor is a cornerstone of his company, the company is expanding its focus. Working to find skilled trades and professional staffing employees is a major part of the company now.

It’s not just the job hunters who have changed tactics from the traditional way of doing business. Raymond said that companies have been struggling in this economy as well, with rising health care costs and other benefits taking a bite out of the bottom line.

Some of these companies look to firms like Raymond’s for help.

“In some cases, we consider ourselves an extension of the human resources department,” he said.

Besides payroll, Raymond’s firm pays the benefit package to the employees and completes employment testing, drug testing and background checks.

Raymond thinks more and more people will seek out their job opportunities through businesses like his.

“It’s kind of the wave of the future for a lot of small- to medium-sized companies,” he said.

“Many individuals are finding they’re accepting assignments that they would have been otherwise overqualified for three to five years ago,” Raymond said. “It’s almost the premium workers at discounted rates.”

For those who need additional help to land a job, there are organizations taking steps to get the word out about help that is available.

The First Congregational Church in Rochester has a seminar twice a month called “Careers in Transition.” They work to help people who need to find work.

Businesses are teaming up with nonprofits as well. The Neighborhood Service Organization and The Shirt Box in Farmington Hills held an event called “The Shirts Off Our Back: From Our Closet to Yours.” The event, held earlier this month, was an effort to seek donations of business attire for those in need.

The NSO dedicates resources to helping people in need get back on their feet in the workforce after facing tough times.

“Right now, the need for a program like this is great,” Shirt Box co-owner Ron Elkus said. “It’s an extremely competitive job market out there, and it is important to look the part.”

While helping people find jobs today is key for some organizations, there is a need to find ways to boost job opportunities in areas that show the highest growth potential.

For instance, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced this month that it is working with Gov. Jennifer Granholm and others to move ahead with the next phase of a 21st Century Jobs Fund program.

“The 21st Century Jobs Fund is the cornerstone of the most comprehensive and aggressive strategy in the nation to transform our economy, grow new high-tech companies and create good-paying jobs for our citizens,” Granholm said.