Finding Your Place in the World

How do most people look for work? … And why they’re disappointed.

First, they try to manage their careers themselves by flooding job postings with resumes and cover letters. This is perhaps the least effective way of reaching employers. Unless the resume is a perfect match for the job description issued by the employer, most of these resumes are summarily discarded by Human Resource departments of the target companies. The result: Most job applicants never get an opportunity to meet face-to-face with the person who can hire them.

Second, they sign on with staff agencies and recruiting firms. Since the employer is the client, the applicant pays no fee. However, the openings are few and the applicants many, so most applicants are not accepted for a job interview.

Third, business professionals investigate what are called executive search firms. Applicants are charged fees based upon a percentage of the annual income earned by the professional in his/her last position. These typically range from $5,000 — $30,000. Services offered include resume and cover letter preparation, consultation – not training – in networking techniques, job interview preparation, and salary negotiation. No guarantees are made for job placement. Little consideration is given to individual differences. Some firms are reputable, others are not. Several have been brought into court by the federal government for fraud and manipulative selling practices. Future Design Studio provides a more extensive program of services at a fraction of the fees charged by most large executive search firms.