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NEXT ISSUE: interview
with panelist
Jacqueline McCarthy,
principal at Vivitiv -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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INTERVIEW
WITH
ERIN LOWE,
Technical Recruiter at Volt
as interviewed by
Ann Jensen Warman
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WE:
Describe your current position and/or business.
ERIN:
I've been a technical recruiter with the Bothell branch of
Volt Technical Resources for almost 2 years. My branch specializes
in placing technical communications, media and marketing professionals
at top companies like Microsoft, REI, PEMCO, Boeing and Giftcertificates.com.
Volt is a leader in the staffing industry. We offer the most
innovative solutions in this dynamic and ever-changing career
landscape.
Working with the most recognized Fortune 500 companies and
with new, cutting edge ventures, Volt offers unlimited opportunities
for matching your skills with the needs of the professional
community.
Through networking with industry-leading associations Volt
is at the forefront of the minds of creative professionals
and company executives alike.
Volt was established in 1950 and is a Fortune 1000 company.
We have over 30,000 employees working out of 300 service locations
in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
WE:
What do you see at the most significant new employment trends
this past year or so?
ERIN:
I think the upswing in the economy, the continuing impact
of the internet and the new generation of employees who
are entering into the job market have all had a significant
impact on how people find work these days.
Candidates no longer look only to the mass job boards to secure
employment. Many candidates are disappointed in the lack of
response from applying to a black hole and recruiters are
frustrated with the lack of qualified candidates responding
to online postings. Referrals and networking are definitely
great ways to match qualified candidates up to job opportunities. So
many jobs are found these days when people leverage the networks
they've built and I think that trend will only continue!
WE:
What employment trends do you forsee in the future?
ERIN:
I believe employers will be more focused on retaining employees
now that:
1)
there are alternative employment situations available;
2) the difference between benefits is negligible; and
3)
it's more and more common to frequently change jobs.
Employers
are also going to first be looking at internal candidates
before going outside; they'll want to make sure they help
their employees move internally so they don't leave the organization
altogether.
WE:
When did you first decide to enter this industry?
ERIN:
Before Volt, I worked in Human Resources in the telecommunications
arena for almost 6 years. After a couple years chock
full of conducting layoff after layoff, I decided I'd like
to reverse the trend and start finding people jobs instead. I
have to say—I really enjoy matching candidates' skills
and backgrounds with the cool opportunities our Northwest
businesses have to offer.
WE:
What type of education did you have and how has it served you?
ERIN:
I received my Bachelors of Business Administration in Human
Resources and Organizational Behavior from the University
of North Texas. Having a background in HR has helped
me to better understand our customer's needs and how to better
match our candidates' backgrounds to customer projects.
WE:
Who has been your greatest professional influence?
ERIN:
My dad—he's always been very good at setting reasonable
expectations for himself and for his clients. He remains
very calm under pressure (something I'm still working on!)
and has an amazing way of building rapport with people.
WE:
What are your plans for the future?
ERIN:
I really enjoy my job at Volt so I plan to continue with my
work here. As my branch expands more into the creative and
media realm, I'd like to better understand the creative process
and more about what artists are all about, what drives the
creative process and what inspires artists to reach their
full potential.
WE:
How has serving on the boards of professional organizations
or doing volunteer work helped you further your career?
ERIN:
In addition to regularly attending the Guild meetings, I
also serve as the Secretary for the Puget Sounds chapter
of the Society for Technical Communication (STC). It's introduced
me to so many new friends and colleagues and has opened
me up to innumerable networking opportunities.The same goes
for the Graphic Artists Guild—I enjoy telling new
Seattle and new artists about the Guild because I think
it's very important to have a forum such as this to make
new acquaintances and share ideas.
WE:
If you or your company has received awards, please mention them
too.
ERIN:
Volt has been a contingent staffing vendor to Microsoft since
1988 and was recently named the only Premier Vendor for contingency
staffing. We were really excited to receive this honor!
In 2004, Volt was again named one of America's Most Admired
Companies. Volt participates in the Six Sigma quality initiative
and is ISO 9002 certified.
===============================
Erin
Lowe, technical recruiter
Volt
workforce design: technical & professional services
www.volt.com
===============================
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GUILD CONTEST OPPORTUNITY:
NAME
THE GUILD'S OCTOBER 2006 TRADESHOW EVENT
AND WIN A SHOW TABLE! (a $300+ VALUE)
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2006 marks a new era for the SPGA/Seattle Guild's event calendar.
In recent years, the membership base at SPGA/Seattle has expanded
to include a diverse set of communications specialties. Designers,
illustrators, media artists, flash designers, database programmers,
website developers, and more now populate our membership ranks.
To
support this growing diversity, the SPGA/Seattle Board of
Directors has begun planning a comprehensive, new Tradeshow
and Educational Event designed to help all of our
members, regardless of specialty, market their work and expand
their presence on the local and national scene.
Scheduled
for October 6, 2006, this upcoming Tradeshow Event will
offer booths and display table to artists, designers, illustrators,
media artists ....in short, professionals in all visual
communications specialties. Display table priorities and
discounts will go to our Chapter members.
Hour-long presentations will be delivered by renowned artists,
educators, and communications experts throughout the day.
As well, highly visible opportunities will be made available
for Event Sponsors to extend their presence among the Tradeshow
attendees and participants at this premier Tradeshow Event.
To
enter the contest, submit your event name ideas by sending
emails here. Include TRADESHOW AND EDUCATIONAL EVENT in
the subject line. You may enter as many times as you like:
here>>
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TRADESHOW COMMITTEE MEETING
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DATE:
January 20, 2006
TIME:
2:00 pm
LOCATION:
Capital Hill on Seneca
RSVP:
email for directions - russ2827@lycos.com
Event
Co-Chairs: Ann Tydings, Russell Cowgill
This planning meeting will last approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
If you have specific talents or interests to contribute, please
attend.
Ann Tydings and Russ Cowgill are organizing a publicity subcommittee
that will involve web design and database development. If
you have specific knowledge in these areas your participation
is desired.
If
you are not able to attend but have interest, please contact
Russ, russ2827@lycos.com
or Ann, pr@seattleguild.org.
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COMING UP: CALENDAR & GREETING CARD BUSINESS
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SPGA/SEATTLE
GRAPHIC ARTISTS GUILD
February 20, 2006 Luncheon Meeting
12:00 - 2:00
Columbia Tower Club, Seattle
PROGRAM:
THE CALENDAR & GREETING CARD BUSINESS
Linnea Riley, Designer and Illustrator
Linnea Design
Award-winning illustrator, Linnea Riley, whose whimsical illustrations
have made Linnea Poster Calendars a tradition in homes and offices
since 1987, will discuss her business and her experience in
the calendar and greeting card industry. Linnea has also designed
children's books for Scholastic, Inc. and Simon & Schuster
and designed products for a diverse group of companies including
The Walt Disney Company, Art Institute of Chicago, and Ito-Ya,
Tokyo.
In
addition to poster calendars and desk calendars, Linnea Design
produces holiday cards, luggage tags, children1s books, and
notecards sold throughout the US and in Japan. See the complete
line at linneadesign.com.
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Thank you to Our SPGA/Seattle Graphic Artists Guild Sponsors:
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www.studiofile.net:
software designed by illustrators for illustrators, to organize
business. Track client info, job worksheets, job expenses,
copyright transfers, invoicing, payment tracking, invoice
reminders, taxes, artwork archiving and business services.
StudioFile offers 10% to Guild members.
emailHunter.net:
hunts down, identifies and verifies email addresses for your
contact list
FunctionFox
Systems, Inc: time management tools for creative businesses
eRoi Inc: generate and capture qualified leads online through
email marketing
Olympus
Press: full service commercial printer
Peachpit
User Group Program Member:
essential books for the creative community
brandUNITY:
branding, design, marketing
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