With an unprecedented surge in the number of people quitting their jobs, the current employment environment is being called “The Great Resignation.” The Washington Post noted that this could be “the most worker-friendly climate in decades with workers having the ability to sort through near-record levels of job postings, and many employers hungry to hire.”
In a recent ASME article, Dan Turner, chief recruiting officer for Kelly Services’ Science, Engineering, Technology, and Telecom Division, a national staffing and recruitment firm, was asked for his advice on obtaining a “fantastic ME job during the Great Resignation.” He emphasized three key strategies: (1) Know your value, (2) Be open to new opportunities, and (3) Leverage your network.
Knowing your value means that if you receive a job offer, be prepared to make a counteroffer. You might also ask for a sign-on bonus.
Being open to new opportunities means do not limit yourself to permanent positions. Consider contract opportunities. Turner said that 75% of the positions his company has filled this year are contract positions.
Leveraging your network means keeping in contact with former colleagues and managers, going to conferences, and joining professional societies like the ASME. Approach a professional recruiter who usually knows about open positions before they are widely known, and can be your advocate during the hiring process. (In the years before coming to NC State, all the jobs I had were obtained through a recruiter.)
There are certainly other key strategies to getting just the right job, however these are a great place to start. – Dr. Tom
