How to Avoid Work by Blogging
I'm avoiding working. That's why two posts in two days. I have to do this thing as a vocational rehabilitation consultant intern called a labor market survey. It's to see whether there is a labor market in a given area for a certain occupation. So what's involved is cold calling companies and asking about their business. For instance, I have to ask the following questions in one way or another:
There is a positive labor market in an area when you find a healthy number of positions for a given occupation. For instance, Wenatchee most likely has a positive labor market for forklift drivers, office clerks, cashiers, carpenters, most other trades, etc. However, Wenatchee would have a negative labor market for say a tattooist (only two shops here in town) or a shoe repairer (only one shop as far as I know).
And of course, when you call companies and ask for this information, the companies get a little defensive. A lot of them think you're trying to sell them something or are trying to place someone in a job at their company, others don't understand why you want this information or wonder how you're going to use this information, others just have too much stuff to do to talk to you. It's a struggle to find information, and it makes this job just a little more difficult.
In fact, I think I'm developing a little bit of a phobia for calling people. I get nervous. My blood pressure goes up, and I use all sorts of avoidance tactics, like posting this blog for one thing. It's wierd. I don't mind talking to people on the phone if I have some reason for calling that impacts their company. But when it comes to imposing on people for information that they are not all that willing to share, it gets uncomfortable for me.
Well, I guess I should get back to it, then. I've got five businesses listed here that I'm planning to call this afternoon. Wish me luck.
- How many people to do you employ in the occupation I am calling about?
- Have you hired anyone recently?
- Are you looking to hire anyone in the near future?
- How much does the position pay?
- What are the physical requirements of the job?
- What skills or qualifications would make someone employable for this position?
There is a positive labor market in an area when you find a healthy number of positions for a given occupation. For instance, Wenatchee most likely has a positive labor market for forklift drivers, office clerks, cashiers, carpenters, most other trades, etc. However, Wenatchee would have a negative labor market for say a tattooist (only two shops here in town) or a shoe repairer (only one shop as far as I know).
And of course, when you call companies and ask for this information, the companies get a little defensive. A lot of them think you're trying to sell them something or are trying to place someone in a job at their company, others don't understand why you want this information or wonder how you're going to use this information, others just have too much stuff to do to talk to you. It's a struggle to find information, and it makes this job just a little more difficult.
In fact, I think I'm developing a little bit of a phobia for calling people. I get nervous. My blood pressure goes up, and I use all sorts of avoidance tactics, like posting this blog for one thing. It's wierd. I don't mind talking to people on the phone if I have some reason for calling that impacts their company. But when it comes to imposing on people for information that they are not all that willing to share, it gets uncomfortable for me.
Well, I guess I should get back to it, then. I've got five businesses listed here that I'm planning to call this afternoon. Wish me luck.
posted by Brad Smith at 2:01 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home