Oregon Engineers - Career and Culture

Flexible Workforce and the Future

protingentdan — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:21:24 +0000

The companies that will drive the next growth spurt in the US will have to be innovative beyond any other time we’ve seen. This is not only because of the ever expanding global economy, but because we don’t like to loose.

No really, we as American entrepreneurs are athletes and we are trying to win every day. We all know the best way to win is to put the best team together…right? How do we do so? By keeping the same players on the team forever or by mixing in rock stars to keep things fresh?

The answer is obvious. Who wants to have a stagnant team with a select few people that still work hard to innovate? Look at the companies that are driving things currently…Cisco, Apple, Microsoft….Do they employ a contingent workforce to assure fresh ideas? Of course they do. So, why not the small to midsize companies?

Some say that contract workers are just too expensive. Well, yes, they are more expensive per hour on average. But, contract workers are not going to be staying there forever. Thus, you don’t have to continue to pay them when your project load slows. Plus, there are zero benefits to pay them, which equates to a huge savings. Cost is relative to output of that person.

So look at product development as a football game where you need to put the right players in for the right plays. Grab a speedster of a waiver for those plays that need an expert. Then that person can go and do the same for someone else. Keep things fresh and constantly changing. That will create the winning team to push your company ahead of the competition.

Oregon Engineering Warming up

protingentdan — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:11:00 +0000

It’s kind of scary to even talk about the market improving right now, but I’m seeing things improve. My clients are talking much more about hiring again and their clients are starting to buy once again. So, when does the trickle down happen…client’s buy product, then my clients need to fulfill those orders, get paid, then need more staff. So we’re a few months away then from the start of a slow climb back up…what do you think??

When will things turn in Oregon?

protingentdan — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:14:32 +0000

Being in the recruiting business for awhile now, I’ve become used to the ups and downs of the industry. This time though, things are different. Traditionally, once things stabilize a bit, temporary staffing starts it’s climb back up. I’ve heard that customer service, some manufacturing and other lower level roles have started that track…but professional skills surrounding product development are still stagnant. Is this due to companies holding steady on existing product lines and just trying to sell more? Is it because budgets are just non-existent? I have heard both stories. I think we are going to have a slow climb back up and won’t reach where we were a couple years ago for quite awhile…like a few years. We’ll see.

Oregon Engineering Environment

protingentdan — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:30:10 +0000

Anyone else out there wondering when innovation will come back to Oregon? Yes, the big boys and girls are still rolling along…should I say..limping along, but what is going on with the companies that need to continually innovate to take bites out of the big shops? I know we have all been victims of the downward spiral of commentary and resulting economic meltdown, but come on, who is going to step up and say enough is enough?? With all of the great engineers on the market right now, a smart CEO could attract the best and brightest, build a great new product and be way ahead of the game with the economy turns. Who has the guts to make that move? So far I haven’t seen any takers. Come on Oregon, let’s get out of this hole we’re in!

Experienced and looking for work? Try using an agency

protingentdan — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:07:25 +0000

If you are like thousands of others looking for work right now, you may want to look into partnering with a recruiting agency or three. Not only will you increase your networking reach into companies you never heard of before, but you’ll also get tips on resume writing and interviewing. The key though, is finding the right agency.

By working with an agency, you are tapping into relationships with companies that have been formed over many years, if not decades. The relationships are many times directly with the managers that are hiring for the positions, not just human resources. Plus, those networks allow a deep knowledge of vertical markets. Say you want to get into a medical device company and only have heard of one in the area. Most likely, the agency will know of ten more. Your agency relationships will produce more possibilities.

Also, say you’re one of a hundred people that want to go after a great sounding program manager position at a top company. You go through the process of filling out an online application and uploading it to the company’s website. Did you include the necessary “key words” to allow the HR representative to find you easily? Are you listing too many years of experience that says to them that you’re “over qualified”. With just a few tweaks on your resume, your chances of landing an interview are drastically increased. Agencies have seen thousands of resumes and can tell quickly if yours needs a tweak.

Now that you have landed an interview, are you ready? Chances are that you are experienced in your trade, but not at interviewing. Agencies are prepping interviewees on a daily basis. They have been through so many and discussed so many follow up scenarios, that they are experts. Like many things, practice is the only way to get really good at it. Ask the agency if they have prep questions in your niche, they should have them or be able to rattle a few off for you.

Lastly, and a very important key to this process, is picking the right agencies to work with. Do you think someone fresh out of college that normally works on administrative assistant positions will be able to help a senior engineer find work? Likely not and you will waste a lot of time working through the process with them. They will want you to come in and fill out paperwork and take tests and and and…. So, the first question to any recruiter is, “what do you specialize in?” If they start going down the road of, “well, we do a little bit of everything here….” You may want to keep looking. Or, you can always just ask, “who specializes in xyz at your office?” By working with specialists in your niche, you are not wasting time.

So, good luck on the adventure for your new gig. It’s not all fun, but if you find a few great agencies to help you along, you’ll come out with more information, more connections and hopefully some great career advocates for your future.