PRINCEVILLE — Like a dating service for would-be workers, one island resource is connecting employers with employees during these “challenging times,” said Peggy Lake, workforce development specialist with WorkWise Kaua‘i. “We are the match.com for jobs,” she said at a
PRINCEVILLE — Like a dating service for would-be workers, one island resource is connecting employers with employees during these “challenging times,” said Peggy Lake, workforce development specialist with WorkWise Kaua‘i.
“We are the match.com for jobs,” she said at a North Shore Business Council seminar Wednesday morning.
A self-proclaimed “cheerleader” and “coach” for those seeking employment, Lake offered advice to a small group of entrepreneurs at the Princeville Community Center regarding how to find the most eligible employees at a time where there are “tons of job seekers and not many jobs.”
WorkWise helps identify serious applicants and not those simply “going through the motions” in order to continue qualifying for their unemployment insurance benefits, she said.
“Really detail what you’re looking for,” she said to attendees, in reference to job postings. “Otherwise you’ll be flooded with applications.”
Another fear business owners are having is whether applicants are “overly qualified” and may “run off” when something better comes along, Lake said. But for many who have lost their jobs, a position paying only $9 per hour is more enticing than the alternative of having nothing, and highly experienced employees could potentially bring something positive to a business, even if only for a short period of time.
“It’s a whole different ball game right now,” she said.
One thing that hasn’t changed much over the past 12 to 18 months is the criteria lenders seek in applicants, said another speaker at Wednesday’s seminar, Director of the Kaua‘i Small Business Development Center, John Latkiewicz.
Also regularly offering free advice to business owners, Latkiewicz said an entrepreneur’s character, cash flow and ability to repay a loan are a few of the qualities banks continue to look.
“Despite economic turmoil, lending institutions are still looking at the same ‘ole things,” he said.
Starting an enterprise right now “really comes down to whether you have a good business idea,” he said.
On the other hand, there are many individuals with great business ideas, but “an awful lot” who have gotten behind in making payments or are having to dip into savings accounts due to the economic climate and no longer qualify for loans based on their credit score, he added. Having assets available and the capacity to repay a loan are some of the things to seriously consider when developing a business blueprint.
Job-seekers or businesses looking for employees can visit www.workwisekauai.com, while those beginning a new business can call the SBDC at 241-3148.
• Coco Zickos, business and environmental writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com.
