INSPIRE OTHERS PROFESSIONALLY and WIN CASH!

In these tough economic times, it’s hard to think about companies being desperate to hire people, but it turns out there are big hiring gaps in the US.  In an interview with Kristin Kelley, VP of Marketing for Randstad US, the world’s second largest staffing firm, she explained how they had thousands of unfilled openings in a number of sectors and careers in the US.  Not to sit around and complain, Randstad has responded to this shortage with an innovative competition to help spur on the nation’s college bound to seriously consider degrees in medical and technology related professions.

Randstad’s competition is a website called: www.inspiringexperts.com  

     It is video based (You Tube-like) where people can post a 2-minute video of themselves; and the site visitors get to vote on the most inspiring video.  The person whose video has garnered the most votes wins a $10,000 scholarship or $5000 cash!  Not bad for 2 minutes of work. 

This gets better.  There are really two contests. 

1. The first contest is for launched professionals who are out there in the work world doing great things that will help inspire our youth to pursue education to also do some of these great things.  Professionals in industries like IT and finance are impacting the work by developing tablet products, more efficient airplanes and new accounting procedures that are “moving their companies forward,” said Kristin Kelley.  She goes on to say “there are career success stories being made every day that are amazing and inspiring.  We want to get these stories exposed, because they can help motivate the next generation of professionals that we desperately need.”   
   1. For the professional, the cash award is split with half going to a named charity of their choice and the other half to them personally as well as an iPad2.
2. The second contest is for those students in college who are telling the story of their inspired direction and what they hope to accomplish.  All of this is aimed at high school students to see what’s possible for them. 
   1. The winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship, plus an iPad2!

The submission process has already started and will end December 16, with voting continuing until January 1.

To the casual observer of this contest, it just looks like a contest with a prize; but it should be pointed out the other, more subtle opportunity this presents to anyone considering entry - Exposure. 

Take advantage of this internet age we live in. When you are on the internet and doing great things that people love to hear about, you will get found by recruiters and hiring managers.  If you’re a student, it doesn’t get any better than to start developing relationships with companies now.  It will solidify your direction and potentially turn into situations to obtain work experience.  Who knows what could come with this level of professional exposure. 

Minimally, we hope that the hiring gap gets filled soon.  “Our young graduates in recent years have had higher than the national average unemployment.” says Kelly.  If they understand where the demand for hiring is, we may be able to reverse the current mismatch.

For more career tips and advice claim your Free Instant Access to the Career Makeover Newsletter AND eWorkbook “Should I Stay or Should I Go” – both dedicated to Your career success, when you visit:  http://CareerMakeoverToolKitShouldIstayorShouldIGo.com/ 

From Dorothy Tannahill-Moran – Your Career Change Agent from www.nextchapternewlife.com and www.mbahighway.com