Community Blog: SKG Career Services

 “City woes end job security of staffers" It is obvious from the article that even the government suffers when the private sector suffers enough. When enough private jobs go south even the secure government worker can lose his job. So what is the answer?

Stop bashing business would be a good start. Stop looking to Washington for the asnwers would be good as well. I believe the economy will recover in spite of government efforts.

I believe like the founding fathers that big Government is not the answer. The problem is government creates nothing that is not originally funded by the taxpayer.  By money they have taken from you. I believe “government” in general, does more to screw things up then make things better. A glaring recent example being the way they have and can “print” more money when they need it. We have to earn money by providing goods and services that people want, they can print it. However, this only devalues it and causes it to be worth less..  Somehow, some in government think that they operate beyond the “laws” of the universe and economics and act so.

The very worse thing the government can do is create a negative attitude towards business in general. This can lead to another alarming sign. When the general publics attitude toward businesses gets to a point where they believe most businesses are corrupt. Now we have a real problem.

This is not to say there are not and, will not be in the future, dishonest, corrupt and greedy businessman and woman. This is like saying there will never be another corrupt, greedy or power hungry politician. But I believe in the faith and spirit of the American people. I believe in “The American Dream” that has made our economy the “engine” that has been the envy of the world. What I have learned over my many years in the training and placement field is that “poor” people do not hire people and that government is very inefficient in doing business. I also have learned that the majority of business in this country consists of “small” businesses. Any Chamber of Commerce membership list will bare that out.

 I don't believe in bashing government as it has it's place and role in our lives. In fact I own a small business. A “one man show”and am a contractor to the federal government. I train and support people with and without disabilities on how to find work.

The front page article in Sunday’s post regarding the purchasing technician and how he has been laid off from his job after 19 years with the city was very telling however. “You mean even “safe” “for life” government jobs are not safe? This is not hard. Where do people think the government gets their money from? My Mom used to say “Money does not grow on trees” She was right; it comes from the hard working people that risk it all for a chance to become “all” that you can be. The chance to make enough money to become “Rich”. Rich enough to travel, employ people, and give back to society in terms of volunteerism and financial donations. People have come to this country since it’s founding to be able to have a better life. Of course a better life is not just about money. But to be able to “risk it all” to reach your potential is why people have loved America .  Some people have forgotten what made America great.

I relent whenever I hear self righteous people bash “Profit”. I cringe whenever I hear politicians bash “The Rich”. (The fact is I believe most people would love to be rich.)

 The end result of bashing and over taxing, “Risk Takers” and Business Creators is “LESS JOBS”.

The GOLDEN GOOSE (business) has been made into an evil thing. The very fact that she’s lays lots of eggs and is successful is demonized. In fact she is told she needs to lay less eggs as laying to many eggs is harmful. (What are we going to do with all the egg shells?) So she no longer lays eggs at the same rate as before. In fact there becomes less Geese to lay eggs at all. Of course we are talking about companies not geese here. So the trickle down effect of this negative attitude happens. Eventually even the “safe” government worker is laid off due to lack of “tax” money. Welcome to my world. Try to be a disabled person looking for work in this economy.

 The fact is for this economy to rebound we must again realize what made it great in the first place. The vast majority of small business people risking it all to bring more opportunity and freedom to themselves and others.  The people that risk it all are the “real hero’s” I hope they make lots of money. With more money and more profit they will create jobs. And guess what with more jobs comes employment growth and more tax money to keep the government worker, as well as the rest of us employed.

Steve Gehrke

Aurora Colorado

SKG Career Services

720-231-8093

The above statements come from my years of working with people that are unemployed.

Human beings, when they feel they are threatened, get to a point where the “fight or flight” response kicks in. Especially when lack of finances get to be an issue. This is why some people become so angry when looking for a job. They are in the “fight” mode.

Acceptance and non-resistance. A great spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle (A New Earth and The Power of Now) speaks of the concepts of acceptance and non-resistance. When people are out of work the tendency is to, at first, be in denial, then anger, then acceptance. A person will not be successful in a job search until the acceptance point has been reached. {Note:Acceptance does not cause “non action” to occur}

The human being has a tendency to be unconscious. The way unconsciousness manifests itself is by spending mental and emotional energy thinking about and regretting the past or worrying about the future. By doing this we are taken out of the “NOW”. We are taken out of the “is ness” of the moment. The present moment seems too painful. In fact, the comment may be, “I don’t like how this feels”, “being unemployed”. The reason for this pain is manifold. One main reason is humans identify with things. We become our job. We become the role we have lost. So it feels like we have lost ourselves. The truth is we are NOT our jobs. We are much more then that. In fact being unemployed can be an opportunity to “find ourselves” or, it can just be painful.

So unemployment can be an opportunity to face and learn from “OUR HUMAN CONDITION”. The more we fight or resist our unemployment the longer it will take, or more painful it will be, to find a position. The more we resist and allow the negative thoughts and emotions that often come with unemployment to rule us the longer it will take to find a job.

So prior to starting a search allow yourself to have your negative thoughts and feeling. Do not make them wrong but try to look at yourself as a disinterested “third party”. I see anger in myself. I see resentment in myself. I see fear in myself. I see uncertainty in myself. I see doubt in myself. Acknowledge the thoughts and feeling, do not make them wrong. (Let yourself be in the now.)

Do not resist them. And remember the phrase “this too will pass”.

We are on this planet to OVERCOME AND TRANSEND our human condition and our circumstances.

We are not here to be victims. We are here to be of service and to be creators. When I work with people one on one to support them in their job search, it is not I that gets them the job. I may be the source of the job openings or they may be the source of the job openings. Where the job comes from does not matter. But ultimately they create the position coming into there lives and the biggest thing I can do is help them become the creators they are.

A good resume, a strategic job search plan, interview skill practice, how to analyze your strengths and communicate them. How to interview the interviewer. These are all important skills I teach. But the number one element to work on is ATTITUDE, having the right consciousness. When this is right miracles happen. It really is not about the ECONOMY. You can do nothing about the economy. But you can do a lot about your viewpoint towards yourself and your situation.

You are here to OVERCOME and TRANSEND the job market, (and your human condition), not be a victim to it.

Steve Gehrke

SKG Career Services

Job and Career Coach-reasonable rates, great results

Always free to people on SSDI or SSI disability

720-231-8093

This tax break is available when hiring people with a legitimate mental or physical disability.

The saving are significant and can be VERY significant depending on the number of people hired. We are looking at

One hire $ 2400, Five hires $ 12,000, Ten hires, $ 24,000. Twenty hires, $ 48,000, One hundred hires, $ 240,000 dollars almost a quarter of a million dollar tax credit. What can you do with these additional funds to make your company prosper?

This is the WOTC. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit. Should the reason you hire someone simply be for the tax credit, of course not. It is just frosting on the cake. The reason to hire a person with a disability is they make great workers. They appreciate the job and they tend to be very loyal. The accommodation necessary for them to be successful most often varies from nothing to a little extra time in the beginning in training. You also get free consulting from someone like me after the hire to make sure the transition is a smooth one both for your company and the candidate. As an Employment Network for the Social Securities "Ticket to Work" program there is never a cost to you, or the candidates for using my services. Also you can be assured the people I represent have a certified disability.

Should you be an employer wanting to hire people with disabilities and want to take advantage of this tax break and the great people I represent feel free to call:

Steven K Gehrke

SKG Career Services

Your SSA’s Ticket to Work” Employment Network

www.yourtickettowork.com

Click on EN’s click on Colorado ( My company is the first listing)

720-231-8093

I have included below the web site to go to for more information on the WOTC program as well as a name and phone number of the contact people in charge of the program  should you have any questions on the tax break.

  WOTC INFO BELOW.

Work Opportunities Tax Credit – Go to the following website:

http://www.coworkforce.com/emp/taxcredits.asp

This website gives you all the information you will need, along with forms and procedures for completing the Work Opportunities Tax Credit. In short this is a federal program that allows employers to claim a tax credit for hiring persons who are registered with the State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or an approved Employment Network via the Social Security Administrations “Ticket to Work” program. The employer can claim a maximum of $2,400 per hire. The credit is figured at 40% of the first year’s wages up to $6,000 if the individual works at least 400 hours during the year. (40% of 6,000 = 2,400). (The credit is 25% of wages if the person works at least 120 hours but less than 400 hours in the year). The paperwork needs to be completed within 28 days of the date of hire and includes two forms, the IRS 8850 and the ETA 9061, which are signed by the employer and the employee. These need to be sent to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Address can be found at the website.

If you have any questions please contact us:

Ted Obrecht (State Coordinator)
Ph: 303-318-8829, Fx 303-318-8934
Em: ted.obrecht@state.co.us

Reina Wright (Federal Bonding Coordinator)
Ph: 303-318-8828, Fx 303-318-8934
Em: reina.wright@state.co.us

Colorado Department of Labor & Employment, WOTC Unit
633 17th Street, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80202
www.coworkforce.com/emp/taxcredits.asp

This tax credit of course is subject to change at any time.

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT LOSING YOUR BENEFITS?

ARE YOU AFRAID YOU CANNOT COMPETE IN THIS JOB MARKET?

The number one reason people on disability such as SSDI and SSI. (Social Security Disability Insurance and Social Security Insurance) do not look for work is they are afraid they will lose their benefits when they return to work. After taking anywhere from 6 months to over a year to get on benefits the possibility of losing them, by returning to work, is a definite concern.

I am Steve Gehrke, my company SKG Career Services is an EN or Employment Network for the Social Security Administration’s “Ticket to Work” program. This program is designed to help people on SSDI and SSI gain part time or full time employment. This service is provided at no cost to the candidate or to the employer that hires them. What I have found in my work helping people with disabilities find work, is their situations tend to fall into three categories. Situation one: Their mental or physical condition will get better and some day they want to get off benefits. Number Two: They would like to get off benefits some day but they are not sure if they will ever be well enough and Number three: They know the odds are their condition is going to only get worse but they want to work (and not lose benefits) and be as productive as they can. In any case all of these people WANT TO WORK.

KNOWLEGED IS POWER: The best advice I can give is if you are on disability and want to work is DO IT. If you are on SSDI a trial work period of 9 months is provided whereby you can earn any amount of money and still receive your full benefits. After that if you are making over $ 980.00 (SGA) in a calendar month you will lose your benefits. For the next three years (EPE) if you lose your job for any reason (or if your income falls below SGA currently $ 980.00) you can get back on benefits by making a phone call to the SSA and letting them know the change in your situation. The idea is give you a chance to work your way back into the world of work without the threat of permanently losing your benefits. You will also retain your government medial benefits.

If you are on SSI the formula is different. No trial work period is offered. The formula is too complicated to get into here but basically you lose a portion of your monthly benefit depending on how much money you earn. When your monthly earning reaches approximately $ 1413.00 you lose your benefit completely.

So you can see it is important to understand these formulas so you are not surprised at how working will affect your benefits. I am not a benefits expert, my focus is on doing one on one work with candidates on disability to support them in finding work; but I do understand the basics. After I start working with someone that wants to work I highly recommend the person contact a Social Security Benefits Planner. They float from Workforce Center to Workforce Center . To set up an appointment all one needs to do is call the workforce center nearest you and tell them you want to see a Social Security Benefits Planner.

If you have any questions or want to speak with me about finding a job I can be reached at

SKG Career Services

720-231-8093

Steve Gehrke

www.yourtickettowork.com

Click on EN’s click on Colorado

I'm the first company listed on the web site.

The purpose of the interview for the job seeker needs to be to get good at interviewing. Ultimately, if you get good at interviewing a job will come from it.

Gehrke’s Law:

All things being equal He who interviews best gets the job. If 5 identical twin sisters walked into an interview and they all had exactly the same background, the one that interviewed best would get the job.

The way to get to be the best is to “practice”. Interviewing is an art. You are the artist. This is not paint by numbers. You must practice to get good at anything. That goes especially for interviewing.

How do you know when your good at it? You will get an offer. If you get an offer you have interviewed well. This is why I spend so much time teaching people how to interview.

If you are qualified for a job and the company looks like a viable entity apply for the job and go to the interview. What’s the worst that can happen? They don’t want you. Or you don’t want them. But at least you got to practice. Even if it does not work out that interviewer may ask you one question you either do not answer well or do not have an answer to.

That same question may come up later at an interview for a job you really want.

Also by going to as many interviews as possible you avoid the mistake of being either “to pumped up” or “not pumped up enough”. As Doctor Herb Cohen the master negotiator has said.

You must “care” but not “too much”.  By getting real live interview experience you can develop the right “attitude” and "skills" for interviewing.

Then by getting an offer you have seen everything your going to see about the job. By getting an offer you have met everyone your going to meet. By getting an offer you have been sucessful.  And  by getting an offer

“YOU” are now in the drivers seat. You are in control. You get to say yes or no.

You now have all the facts. Then and only then can you make a good decision.

Does that not feel better then they alternative?

SKG Career Services

Individual and Group Job Seeking Skills and Career Change Training and Support

Free to People with Disabilities on SSI or SSDI-see below.

www.yourtickettowork.com-click on EN’s click on Colorado and page down to SKG Career Services

720-231-8093

Steve Gehrke

The purpose of the interview for the job seeker needs to be to get good at interviewing. Ultimately, if you get good at interviewing a job will come from it.

Gehrke’s Law:

All things being equal He who interviews best gets the job. If 5 identical twin sisters walked into an interview and they all had exactly the same background, the one that interviewed best would get the job.

The way to get to be the best is to “practice”. Interviewing is an art. You are the artist. This is not paint by numbers. You must practice to get good at anything. That goes especially for interviewing.

How do you know when your good at it? You will get an offer. If you get an offer you have interviewed well. This is why I spend so much time teaching people how to interview.

If you are qualified for a job and the company looks like a viable entity apply for the job and go to the interview. What’s the worst that can happen? They don’t want you. Or you don’t want them. But at least you got to practice. Even if it does not work out that interviewer may ask you one question you either do not answer well or do not have an answer to.

That same question may come up later at an interview for a job you really want.

Also by going to as many interviews as possible you avoid the mistake of being either “to pumped up” or “not pumped up enough”. As Doctor Herb Cohen the master negotiator has said.

You must “care” but not “too much”.  By getting real live interview experience you can develop the right “attitude” and "skills" for interviewing.

Then by getting an offer you have seen everything your going to see about the job. By getting an offer you have met everyone your going to meet. By getting an offer you have been sucessful.  And  by getting an offer

“YOU” are now in the drivers seat. You are in control. You get to say yes or no.

You now have all the facts. Then and only then can you make a good decision.

Does that not feel better then they alternative?

SKG Career Services

Individual and Group Job Seeking Skills and Career Change Training and Support

Free to People with Disabilities on SSI or SSDI-see below.

www.yourtickettowork.com-click on EN’s click on Colorado and page down to SKG Career Services

720-231-8093

Steve Gehrke

Many times it has very little to do with the “job market” or their “résumé” or their “cover letter”.

Quite often what it has to do with is the fact that they are suffering from the devastating effects of losing their job. This can be compounded when someone has been fired. Since most people have so much of their value tied up in their identification with the work they do, when unemployment happens, for any reason. the person becomes “injured” mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The hurt is just as real as a broken leg or arm.

Before the job search will be successful it is important to give yourself time to heal and put things in perspective.

One person I know was laid off after 27 years with the same company. It has been a year search for him so far to find a job. The fact is I believe the reason he has not found a job is that he really needed a break after working so long. His background is great and stable. I believe when he is “ready” his sense of urgency will grow and things will begin to happen for him.

Another person I have worked with was fired from her last job. A consummate fund raiser that has raised over 20 million dollars for non profits over the years the issue is not her experience or background but getting over the trauma of the firing. I was a gentle reminder to her of what she has accomplished and what she has to offer. She had two interviews within four weeks of our working together.

When unemployed it is easy to lose our confidence and forget what we have to offer and how we have positively affected the companies we have worked for.

Take the time to let yourself heal from the pain and loss of a job. Take an inventory of your accomplishments and take the time to practice your interview skills around this inventory.

SKG Career Services

Individual and Group Job Seeking Skills and Career Change Training and Support

Free to People with Disabilities on SSI or SSDI-see below.

www.yourtickettowork.com-click on EN’s click on Colorado and page down to SKG Career Services

720-231-8093

Steve Gehrke

However, getting down only makes things worse. Human beings often dwell on the past or worry about the future. It is part of our human condition. We often ask What if?. The fact is that neither the past nor the future is real. The past is gone and the future is not here yet. The only thing that is real is THE NOW. The only place we can make a difference is the now. You say well I don't like the now! I don't like my current situation. I say you don't have to like it and you want to take action to change it, but making the present moment wrong only causes pain.

Our power is in the now. Try acceptance. The fact is situations are neutral. They don't care what we think of them. They are what they are. We can apply negative thoughts and emotions to them or not. It is our choice. What if you just said It is what it is. The answer as to what to do next will come to you much easier using this technique. People often think that if they feel bad enough it will help spur them on to get a job. That is insanity.

Some things we can do in the NOW are.

Search the web for jobs on jobing. com. The now is were we can take inventory of what we have done in our past jobs that we did well. What we can do now is practice our interview skills. What we can do now is set up that networking meeting or that informational interview. The NOW is where we have our power. The now is where life is.

You can learn more about the NOW in a book I recommend. The New Earth by Eckhart Tolle.

Go out now and be in the NOW in your job search.

Sincerely,

Steve Gehrke

SKG Career Services

skgehrke@comcast.net

720-231-8093