Looking back at the recent economic crisis, it’s easy to think that all classes and industries suffered equally. In reality, workers in the so-called creative class have come through relatively unscathed. Yes, just under three quarters of a million creative jobs were lost during 2008-2010, but that’s less than two percent of total jobs in the category.1 And certainly some categories of creative jobs fared better than others--news reporters, musicians, photographers and editors were especially hard hit. But compared to the loss of more than two million service jobs and 5.3 million blue-collar jobs, creative professionals are still doing well and looking forward to a bright future.
Why have creative class workers been able to survive, and in some cases thrive, in such a difficult economy? Because ideas matter. A fresh idea, perspective, communication style or approach can make the difference between a business barely hanging on (or worse), and succeeding. Ideas convince us to try or buy a product, support a non-profit’s mission, choose one vacation destination over another, or build in a certain housing development. Often we are buying into that idea itself—we can’t see and touch a mission or an experience—we have to believe it will be everything we expect and more. I didn’t buy a citrus juicer; I bought the idea of how much my family will love fresh-squeezed orange juice every morning.
A second reason the creative class is doing well, in the midst of economic turmoil, goes back to the creativity of the professionals themselves. Faced with a job loss or similar life-altering event, creative people can develop a variety of ideas to keep themselves moving forward. According to the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity,2 the number of new businesses created increased year over year during 2007-2009 (during a major recession) by people with an idea to share or skills to market. Creative people invent new products, find a fresh way to deliver a service, or address a need we didn’t even know we had (who knew they needed digital music, electronic books or podcasts before the iPod?!). They’re able to move from one seemingly dissimilar position to another, and even make entire industry or career changes, because their creativity allows them to thrive in a variety of environments. Good ideas can cross from one industry to another. In a recent article Richard Florida points out that “…creative class workers, even in the hardest hit fields, have the skills, education and human capital that allows them to switch jobs, fields and careers when required, an option that is largely unavailable to blue-collar workers.”
Creative class members have fared well compared to other classes of workers because their fresh ways of thinking are critical to the survival and success of businesses, and they’re able to shift gears into what is new or next to keep moving forward. They say, “I have an idea…” and there’s more where that came from!
1 Source: The Creative Class is Alive, by Richard Florida: http://tinyurl.com/CreativeClassFlorida
2 Source: Despite Recession, U.S. Entrepreneurial Activity Rises in 2009 to Highest Rate in 14 Years, Kauffman Study Shows http://tinyurl.com/KauffmanEntrepreneurial
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Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution, rebounding from the holidays or simply having more free time, the new year makes people think about their career. In regards to their current position people generally are happy, okay for now, or not happy. Regardless of where you fall, there are things you can do to move your career in the right direction.
Happy with your current position? Great! That’s good news. Is it surprising to know that you’re in the minority? According to a recent Right Management poll, just 5 percent of the workers polled said they intend to remain in their current position. You’re one of the happy ones so make the most of your unique situation! Seek opportunities to learn and grow, find new ways to contribute to the success of your employer, and identify how your role may evolve so you can be prepared for the next step. And, even though you’re happy, you never know when an opportunity will present itself. With a professional resume and solid portfolio of work, you’ll always be prepared for to interview for a great internal position or with a new company.
Your job is okay…for now? Now is a great time to start putting out feelers and making connections that could lead to a new opportunity. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported the largest number of “job-leavers” in a decade.2 Interestingly, the bulk of the 1.1. million workers who left their job in October 2011 did so without having another lined up. There are many factors that may contribute to why someone would leave their position, but the two largest seem to be confidence that there are more opportunities available and frustration with the status quo. Employees who weathered the economic storm without experiencing a lay-off, or who took a less-than-ideal job because it was the only available option, are starting show signs of confidence in their ability to find something new. As the old adage goes, the best time to look for a job is when you already have one. Reach out to your professional connections, recruiters and advisors to let them know that, confidentially, you would be open to a new opportunity. Be specific about what that new position would look like, and what you would need to seriously consider making a move.
You’re really unhappy where you are, or aren’t working? Now is a great time to renew the vigor of your job search. Attend industry events and reach out to your professional and personal connections, especially those that you may have seen recently over the holidays. Make sure your resume and portfolio of work are current and professionally presented. Stay current on news of growth or changes within companies you’re interested in—those are often signs that new opportunities may open up and you’ll want to be the first to know. Commit to frequently attending industry events or meetings; all of the groups that were on hiatus over the holidays should be back to their regular schedule.
A special note to employers:
Those statistics about the number of people planning to look for a new position in 2012 (84% in the Right Management poll)? The number of people who are leaving jobs without something new in place? Those may be your employees. It’s important to know who on your team is happy, just okay, or really not happy; who is engaged, indifferent, or actively disengaged. Do the work necessary to keep the right people on your team, and be prepared for the loss of others. Cross-train, have a back-up plan for someone leaving (maybe the same plan you used over the holidays), and always keep a list of talent that would be a good fit for your team if and when you have the right role for them.
1 Source: Survey Finds Wide Employee Discontent, poll conducted by Right Management, a division of Manpower Group: http://tinyurl.com/rightmgmtpoll
2 Source: Voluntary Quits Rising As Engagement Measures Decline, John Zappe, November 23, 2011: http://tinyurl.com/ere-netarticle
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(COLUMBUS, OH) – With recent economic challenges, companies of all sizes have begun to embrace non-traditional staffing options, including temporary staff, project-oriented assignments, flexible schedules, telecommuting, part-time or shared positions, compressed work weeks and outsourced functions. Recently the IRS announced a program to encourage businesses who use certain types of independent contractors to voluntarily reclassify them as employees on an ongoing basis in order to avoid tax liabilities, penalties and interest. The Voluntary Classification Settlement Program (VCSP) is one of several recent business staffing compliance-oriented programs designed to increase federal tax revenues.
“Many entrepreneurs and business owners, in an attempt to do more with less, have embraced a more flexible workforce. But they’re not sure what the rules are when it comes tax time,” said Kristen Harris, co-owner and founder of Portfolio Creative, the nation’s fastest growing creative staffing firm.
The IRS has a 20 factor test to help companies determine if a worker is an independent contractor or employee, but many busy business owners are not aware of it, or find the process confusing. That can become painful should they discover after the fact they made a mistake.
“We try to make sure our clients know that these rules exist, and that by using an outside staffing agency like ours, the contractor vs. employee issue is no longer a factor,” said Harris. “Many companies who have successfully saved costs with flexible staffing don’t know they can outsource their payroll to protect themselves from compliance hassles.”
Industry experts anticipate a continued increase in worker classification investigations, due to President Obama’s 2011 fiscal budget that set aside $25 million for misclassification initiatives that include 100 additional enforcement personnel and competitive grants for states looking to recapture funds. Currently approximately 10 million U.S. businesses rely heavily on independent contract workers.
About Portfolio Creative
Portfolio Creative is the nation’s fastest-growing creative staffing and recruiting firm. An Inc. 500 fast growth company for the past three years, Portfolio Creative connects clients with creative talent in all areas of design, marketing, communications and advertising. It also provides executive recruiting, payroll and direct hire services.
Founded in 2005, the company has been recognized with awards from Staffing Industry Analysts, Columbus CEO magazine, Business First, the Columbus Chamber, Enterprising Women magazine, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the American Staffing Association, the Ohio Department of Development and the National Association of Women Business Owners. Clients and creative talent can call (614) 839-4897. More company information and a job board is available online at www.portfolioiscreative.com
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For further payroll/compliance questions, please contact a specialist at Portfolio Creative at hr@portfolioiscreative.com.
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We keep hearing the phrase “the new normal,” and wondered what exactly that means for the world of work and jobs. With that phrase, essentially experts are saying “don’t expect things to return to exactly how they were pre-recession, what you’re seeing now is about what your expectations should be.” Certain areas have experienced profound changes and are settling at a level where they’re likely stay for a while—often it’s used in reference to higher unemployment rates, a lower number of manufacturing and construction jobs, or lower housing prices and sales levels.
But the recession affected many facets of employment as well, creating a “new normal” for work expectations. What is the “new normal” for work? What will work look like in the near future?
We’re seeing a few trends that seem to be here to stay:
When Nobel Prize-winning economist James J. Heckman was studying the effects of job training programs1, he encountered a mystery. It seemed that many of the unskilled young workers came out of training programs no better prepared for work than they were going in, and in some cases they were actually worse. As he delved deeper into the issue, he found that the students in these training programs were not able to learn what they were being taught because they lacked a critical set of skills that would help them learn new things. And when or where would they have learned these skills originally? Preschool. Yes, that’s right. Around ages 3-5 is when most of us learn about cooperation, interaction, sharing, negotiating, paying attention and focusing, essentially learning how to learn.
Since it’s been a long time since we were all preschoolers, whether you’re a job seeker or happily employed, it may be time to brush up on those key areas. Take a look below and ask yourself how you rate. The ones you’re really good at are strengths that can be put to use every day in your work, and should be emphasized in performance reviews or job interviews. Any skills where you would not rate yourself highly can be considered areas for improvement.
1. Paying attention
2. Able to focus
3. Having self-control
4. Resolving conflict
5. Being curious
6. Open to new experiences
7. Able to control temper/frustration
8. Cooperates and interacts well with others
9. Shares well
10. Able to negotiate
Since we can’t really go back to preschool and start over, the best thing to do is to stay constantly aware of opportunities to use these abilities, work to improve them and observe others who use them well. In fact, if you have small children, take advantage of opportunities to observe their classroom from time to time to see the experts in action.
1 A NEW COST-BENEFIT AND RATE OF RETURN ANALYSIS FOR THE PERRY PRESCHOOL PROGRAM:
A SUMMARY; by James J. Heckman, Seong Hyeok Moon, Rodrigo Pinto, Peter Savelyev, Adam Yavitz; Working Paper 16180; http://www.nber.org/papers/w16180; NATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH, 1050 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138; July 2010
One-tenth of a second. That’s the amount of time you get to make a first impression every time you meet someone. Yes, in less than one second that person has made a judgment about you, and their impression is very difficult to overcome once it’s been made. Unfair? Don’t a judge a book by its cover? Of course you’re a really great person with a lot to offer, but unless you’re able to make the right first impression you may never get the chance to prove it.
A study by Princeton University psychologist Alex Todorov found that people respond so quickly and intuitively to a new face that our reasoning minds don’t have time to influence the reaction. We decide whether a person is attractive and trustworthy within a tenth of a second. "We decide very quickly whether a person possesses many of the traits we feel are important, such as likeability and competence, even though we have not exchanged a single word with them. It appears that we are hard-wired to draw these inferences in a fast, unreflective way."1
Think you’ll just win people over once they get to know you better? That could be a challenge as well. “What we found was that, if given more time, people's fundamental judgment about faces did not change," Todorov said. "Observers simply became more confident in their judgments as the duration lengthened." The researchers did note that as time passes and you get to know people, your impression of them does become more well-rounded, but you’ll have to spend enough time together for that relationship to evolve.
As a creative professional, whether you’re currently working or seeking a new position, there are ten key places that first impressions are made. Take the time to review each of these areas to be sure you are making the type of first impression that you want people to remember. It can be difficult to assess yourself objectively in some of these areas, so consider asking a fair but honest friend or colleague for feedback. It’s better to identify issues and correct them before something you really want, like that new dream job, is on the line.
1. Resume. For many hiring managers nothing puts a resume in the “no” pile more quickly than typos and sloppy grammar. Keep the information clear and concise, remembering that your resume is an informational document first and a creative assignment (a very distant) second. Proofread, proofread, proofread, and then have someone else proofread it for you once more.
2. Website. After receiving an interesting resume, hiring managers often visit your personal website. This is a chance to draw their interest and excite them about your work. Present only your best work, in an interesting and easy-to-navigate way, and (again) proofread everything for spelling and grammar.
3. Social Media. In this interconnected world we all think we know someone, or know someone who knows them. Have that fair and honest friend look you up on all of the major social media sites and share the impression they get from your profile. Think sites like Facebook are private? If it’s online, it can be found.
4. Dress. When people meet you in-person they are getting an impression and making a judgment on the whole package, including how you are dressed. Be current, appropriate for the situation, and properly prepped. Think your rumpled shirt doesn’t matter if you’re really talented? You may never get to show your talent because the person you just met thinks if your dress is sloppy, your work probably is too.
5. Grooming. Again, impressions are made on the whole package. A current and appropriate haircut, recent shower and some deodorant go a long way. Personal grooming tends to be one of those things people notice and remember when it’s bad. Keep it clean and you’ll be fine.
6. Personal Décor. Jewelry, tattoos and piercings are all beautiful ways to express our creativity. Just keep in mind the situation, purpose and person you are meeting. A more subtle choice or a little covering up may be appropriate for some settings. If you’re not sure, ask an insider for advice.
7. Interview. How you come across in an interview makes a lasting impression that is difficult to overcome. If it doesn’t go well, you rarely get a second chance. Be engaged, interesting and interested, and participate in the conversation. Hiring managers will usually forgive a little nervousness, but they generally believe that the interest level and personality you show in the interview is the same as what you’ll show on the job.
8. Portfolio or Work Samples. This is your work, treat like you love it. The same work presented in a nice format with an attractive cover looks ten times better than the same work jammed in a grocery sack. If you act like your work is special, the person you’re talking to is more likely to think so too.
9. Networking or Industry Events. This is the sort of place where you’ll meet a lot of strangers who could someday become friends. Most people are nervous and uncomfortable in these situations, just be as open and friendly as you can. Be yourself, introduce yourself to groups, and gracefully wrap up the conversation at a convenient time so you can meet someone new. And keep coming back, eventually you’ll become the “regular” that other new people are excited to meet.
10. Chance Meetings. It’s a cliché, but you never know who you’ll meet where or when. I have run into people in the grocery, park, pet store, concerts, parties, all sorts of unexpected venues. The fact that they are unusual can make impressions from those chance meetings even more memorable, so be sure they’re good ones.
1 First Impressions: Making Up Your Mind After a 100-Ms Exposure to a Face; Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov, Princeton University; http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S15/62/69K40/index.xml?section=topstories
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The 2011 Talent Shortage Survey1 results have been released, and news is mixed for job seekers. By being forced to reduce their workforce and find ways to “do more with less” during the recent recession, businesses have found that they can do great things if they have the right talent in place. What is interesting is that while companies are not planning to increase their staff back to the pre-recession levels, they are looking for the “right” people, and apparently having a difficult time finding them. So…the good news is that companies are hiring, the bad news is that it’s a very competitive job market and employers are looking for the right combination of specific skill sets and excellent soft skills or business experience.
A few more interesting findings from the survey:
• U.S. companies reported a dramatic increase in how difficult it is for them to find the people they are looking for—from 14% to 52%, a 38 percentage point increase.
• Why are employers having such a difficult time filling positions when there are clearly a lot of people looking for work? One in four of the employers surveyed stated environmental/market factors, they just can’t find anyone available in their area. Another 22% said applicants lack the technical competencies needed, and 15% of companies stated lack of business knowledge or formal qualifications as the main reason candidates did not qualify.
• Hoping to get trained by the company? Don’t count on it—three-quarters of employers globally cited candidates’ lack of experience, skills or knowledge as the reason they could not fill positions, but only one in five is concentrating on training and development to fill that gap.
Whether you are aggressively seeking a new position or just putting your feelers out there because you’ve heard that companies are starting to hire again, this information can provide a lot of insight into how to approach your search. Some tips to consider:
• Think about location. A lot of people don’t want to or can’t relocate, but if it’s an option for you, look outside your region. While your skill set may not be in demand in your particular area, perhaps it’s a fit with an employer in another city or region.
• Assess your technical competencies and compare them to the current standards for your field. Are your “hard” skills up-to-date with today’s standards? Is there anything you need to brush up on or new skills you need to learn to be competitive? The market is tough and employers want the perfect person, so make yourself as perfect as you can. Build up your skills through education, volunteer work or even taking a lower-level job than you really want to get particular on-the-job experience.
• Take an hard look at your “soft” skills. Having the right interpersonal and communication skills, values and mindset can be as important to a potential employer as your “hard” skills. Do some personality assessments, work with a career coach or have an honest discussion with a friend. Often a very skilled or talented person ultimately doesn’t get the job because of a poor fit in this area.
• Make sure employers can find you. Connect with recruiters, visit company career pages, stay active on LinkedIn and industry-specific social media sites, and make sure your any resumes you have posted online are current and well put-together.
Employers are seeking the right people to add to their team, so you need to do everything you can to be that right person for them.
1 Source: 2011 Talent Shortage Survey, study conducted by Manpower Group: http://manpowergroup.com/research/research.cfm
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We’ve all heard the phrase “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” It can seem pretty negative, as if some people have all the advantages due to family, circumstances or other advantages, while the rest of us are out of luck. But at the core, “who you know” means exactly what it says—who YOU know can be a tremendous asset during a job search and throughout your career.
Whether you consider yourself very social and outgoing or more the quiet and reserved type, you know people. You have friends, neighbors, people you grew up with, high school and college classmates, current and former co-workers, and members of organizations or activities you’re involved with. And every one of those people also knows people. It’s important, because it’s not only who YOU know, it’s also who THEY know. The first step to leverage your networks to grow your career is this: Step 1-Sit down and make a list of everyone you know, how you’re connected and what they do. Create a spreadsheet to help you track your interactions with each person.
Since it’s clear we all know people, how do you connect with them and how can they help you? People generally want to see you succeed, but often they’re not sure what they can do. If you can succinctly tell them what you need and explain what they can do, as long as it easy for them and they don’t feel that you’re imposing, most people will say yes. Even if they’re not comfortable or don’t have the connection you need, they may refer you to someone else instead. Step 2-For each person on your list, think about how they may be able to help you, either with information or with another connection. Think about what they know, and who they know. People will be much more likely to respond to a request that is easy or comfortable for them.
Now you need to start reaching out to the people on your list. Use a method that is easy and convenient for them. You are asking for their help after all. Before you contact each person, have a clear idea of what you need and how this person may be able to help you. Explain what you’re looking to do, where you want to go, the type of job you’re looking for, or the sort of information you need. Be specific; while it may be perfectly clear to you, the person you’re speaking to isn’t privy to all the background and internal information you have. They may need help connecting the dots. Step 3 - Contact each person on your list, starting with the ones that you think will be the best connections. Share your goals and interests, and clearly explain what you’re looking for and how they may be able to help. Be open to their suggestions and appreciative of their time.
If you are polite, prepared, accommodating to their availability and schedule, clear about what you are asking for, and try to keep your requests within the person’s ability and comfort zone, your success rate should be high. You may come away with a clearer direction, new perspective, new opportunities and ultimately, that new job you’ve been waiting for.
This article may be reprinted when the copyright and author bio are included. ©2011 Kristen Harris, Portfolio Creative, LLC.
]]>Ms. Shull majored in commercial and fine art at OSU and began her career as a graphic designer. She is a founding member of the The Ad Production Club of Columbus and has been a guest instructor at Columbus College of Art & Design.
“I’ve spent and enjoyed my entire career in the creative industry,” said Ms. Shull. “In this new role I’m looking forward to branching out into helping others realize their professional and artistic goals.
]]> “We’ve experienced a lot of growth which has led to our team doubling up on offices,” said Kristen Harris, co-owner of Portfolio Creative. “The Goodale strip has become something of a creative corridor, so it made sense for us to locate there. It’s centrally located and close to I-315 and I-670. And we love the fact that we can build out more space for interviewing talent and meeting with clients, as our meeting rooms will go from one to four.”
Grandview Heights City Council approved the move at their April 4, 2011 meeting and is taking active steps to help facilitate continued success for the firm.
An Inc. 500 fastest growing firm, Portfolio Creative connects clients with creative talent in all areas of design, marketing, communications and advertising. Portfolio Creative has offices in Columbus and Dayton, Ohio. It is Columbus’ 12th fastest growing company. Clients and creative talent can call (614) 839-4897 in Columbus or (937) 528-1028 in Dayton.