Resume Help Blog

Although the news seems grim when you turn on the TV or read the newspaper I believe we are in the most exciting time to be alive – ever!

Now I can hear what you’re saying – “you have to be out of your mind!” So let me explain. Like you, I know there are many people out of work and maybe you are one of them. However this is the information age and there is more information available than at any time in history.

If you are having a hard time financially – I remember something said by Michael Todd a Hollywood mogul of a decade or so back. He said; “I’ve been broke many times but never poor. Being broke is a temporary situation, being poor is a state of mind”. 

Though 2008 has had more than its share of layoffs and economic struggles, the New Year means rejuvenated hope for job seekers.

While it is true that several companies continue to make mass layoffs, there are other companies that are shifting their focus to hire aggressively in the beginning of 2009. While other people are taking a risk and starting their own in-home businesses.

I subscribe to Guideposts magazine. In this last issue was a story of such a family. The husband was 60 and laid off. The wife had not worked in years, so what to do? The wife loved chocolate and she started making various chocolate recipes and her husband took them to the markets in their city. Within a very short time they had so much business they had to get friends and neighbors to help. Within six months they had 20 people working making truffles and various other recipes and more business than they ever imagined. 

In preparation for this article I did a little investigative work on the internet and found a variety of top companies in various industries that are looking to hire a diverse selection of jobs in 2009, despite the tough economy. Here is just a partial list:

7-Eleven

Who They Are: A leader in convenience retailing, with approximately 7,600 7-Eleven stores in North America [and] more than 35,000 stores in 17 countries, according to Jim Wahl, the company’s manager of talent acquisition systems.

What They Are Looking For: “At 7-Eleven, we believe your work should be more than a job. It should be an investment in your future and ours,” Wahl says. “In 2009 we will be seeking candidates for operations, accounting, information systems, merchandising and marketing.”

Banfield

Who They Are: Banfield is the largest pet general veterinary practice in the world, says Mike Mason, senior director of team resources. It offers a full range of comprehensive medical services and a quality assurance program.

What They Are Looking For: “Banfield is looking associates who love pets and who share in our mission of treating pets like family and increasing the value of pets in families and communities,” Mason says.

“Our plan for 2009 calls for replacing new positions as they become open in our main campus in Portland, Oregon, and in our hospitals, as well as hiring quality associates to staff our new hospitals. To staff our hospitals, we are looking for veterinarians, PetNurses, office managers and client service coordinators.”

Farmers Insurance

Who They Are: Farmers Insurance is the nation’s third-largest personal lines property and casualty insurance group, according to Andy Reser, vice president of agencies. It provides homeowners, auto, business, specialty products, life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households.

What They Are Looking For: “We offer the opportunity to build your own business. You’ll have the latitude to set your own professional goals and income potential,” says Luisa Acosta-Franco, assistant vice president of diversity and emerging markets. “Farmers has a strong commitment to diverse markets, therefore the need for qualified bilingual individuals is an important component of the overall strategy to attract and retain the right people for opportunities with us.”

Gentiva Health Services

Who They Are: Gentiva offers a range of highly skilled in-home care services, including nursing, therapy, infusion, pharmacy, respiratory, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary, senior health, neurorehabilitation and hospice, says Angela McClure, assistant vice president of recruitment and staffing.

What They Are Looking For: “We have career opportunities for dedicated, compassionate nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and other clinicians; as well as sales, management and administrative support professionals,” McClure says. “At Gentiva, our clinicians have a lot of flexibility and autonomy, so they must demonstrate a high level of clinical excellence and customer service.”

HealthMarkets

Who They Are: A nationwide individual health insurance provider that aims to simplify the health insurance experience for its members and enhance the career experience for its agents, says Andrew Fortunato, senior vice president of recruiting strategy.

What They Are Looking For: “Our focus is on individuals with the desire and drive to be part of a team dedicated to delivering highly personalized health protection solutions to self-employed individuals and their families across America,” Fortunato says. “Our agents are the main point of contact with people who must purchase health insurance on their own.”

ITT Corporation, Advanced Engineering & Sciences Division

Who They Are: A division of ITT’s Defense Electronics & Services group that provides leading-edge product development, technology, engineering, research and project management services to government, industrial and commercial customers, says Steve Kotecki, recruiting manager.

What They Are Looking For: “At ITT, we are looking for talented people to develop and implement innovative solutions to complex problems. We are looking for candidates with long-term vision who enjoy working in a strong team environment,” Kotecki says. “We will be looking to fill a wide spectrum of positions in 2009, which are both demanding and rewarding. Our primary focus will be on candidates with a strong engineering background or those with prior military experience.”

M.A.R.S. International

Who They Are: A franchise that offers mobile cosmetic repair and reconditioning services to industries including hotels, motorcycles, boats, automobiles, RV’s and more. It specializes in the repair of the wear and tear that damages the look and functionality of items people use daily, says Allan Kelsey, president.

What They Are Looking For: “[We] have positions open for technicians to execute these kinds of repairs and for managers to oversee the technicians,” Kelsey says. “These technicians will have some aptitude for working with their hands, enjoy working outdoors and managing their own time. They will be self-starters that are motivated, friendly and determined.”

ServiceMaster

Who They Are: A company which provides such services as lawn care and landscape maintenance, termite and pest control, home warranties, cleaning and disaster restoration, house cleaning, furniture repair and home inspection, Hough says. Its brands include TruGreen, TruGreen LandCare, Terminix, American Home Shield, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, Furniture Medic and AmeriSpec.

What They Are Looking For: “We are a service-based organization that strives to earn our customers’ business, build trust and exceed our customers’ expectations,” Hough says. “In addition, we are a relationship-based firm that prides itself on employing hard working, ethical employees that our customers can trust to invite into their homes and enrich their lives.”

State Farm

Who They Are: A provider of insurance and financial services products that insure more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., says Rich Garcia, director of enterprise recruiting and retention. It has 68,000 employees and 17,000 agents who service more than 78 million insurance policies and 1.9 million bank accounts.

What They Are Looking For: “In 2009, we will continue to look for a wide range of candidates with various experiences to fill internships and opportunities ranging from entry level to management,” Garcia says. “Frequently posted positions include opportunities in claims, underwriting and systems/IT. We are also always looking for that next State Farm agent.”

Sutter Health

Who They Are: A family of doctors, not-for-profit hospitals and other health-care service providers that share resources and expertise to advance health-care quality and access, says Mike Helm, senior vice president of human resources.

What They Are Looking For: “Health care is about people and at Sutter Health, our commitment is to put the patient at the center of everything we do. Our aging population and Sutter Health’s continued investment in technology are two important forces that are fueling our need for skilled employees,” Helm says. “[We] seek to hire individuals who embrace our values. From providing care at the bedside to implementing lifesaving technology and administrative professionals, there are a variety of positions available throughout our Sutter Health network.”

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company/Scotts LawnService

Who They Are: Scotts LawnService is a division of The Scotts Company supplier and marketer of consumer products for do-it-yourself lawn and garden care, says Peter Korda, senior vice president. It was founded in 1997 to provide products and services for customers who desire someone else to take care of their lawns for them.

What They Are Looking For: “We are looking for people to join our team and help us deliver the very best in professional lawn care. Joining our team allows you to grow green, healthy and lush lawns, trees and shrubs, and provide the service and support customers have come to expect from a premium brand such as Scotts,” Korda says.

“You will have an opportunity to grow your career; we’ll provide you with the knowledge and opportunities you need to succeed. ["We're hiring for territory service representatives, sales representatives and customer service representatives."]

URS Corporation

Who They Are: A provider of engineering, construction and technical services for public agencies and private sector companies around the world, says Marian Hyder, vice president of staffing for the EG&G division. URS provides services for power, infrastructure, industrial and commercial, and federal projects and programs.

What They Are Looking For: “We seek high quality talent in key areas of focus for our business and offer exciting domestic and global assignments for employees at every career point,” Hyder says.

“In 2009, we will be looking for talent in key areas such as engineering, construction management, program management, power, environmental, health and safety, homeland security, logistics, operations and maintenance and more. Positions are available at all experience levels — from new graduates to seasoned professionals.”