The Dog Days of Summer...

We have to always be on our toes, looking for the next opportunity, keeping your resume updated.  It doesn't do to just "keep my eyes open;" you MUST proactively look for jobs in your field.  Not only does this keep you learning what jobs are open, but it will also help you keep abreast of changes in your field.  Can't find jobs for you by the title you're used to searching?  Could be that it's been  renamed/rebranded.

I describe myself as a corporate trainer, as most people have some idea of what that kind of person does.   Of course, I can also go by the following monikers:  Trainer, Facilitator, Talent Manager, Organizational Development professional, L&D (learning and development), Performance Consultant, and so on.   When I started in the "training world," you were a "trainer," which usually meant you taught classes.   It's true that I teach classes occasionally (and still enjoy it), but the field has changed so much in the last 20 years, and I have adapted along with it, not only picking up new titles, but the skills needed to compete in the marketplace should my current company decide to reorg, rightsize, downsize, or I think the newest term I've heard is "align talent."  All the same thing--someone is likely to have to move on.  Of course, we all hope it's the other guy.

I recently worked with a woman who'd been in her job for almost 12 years, and she was looking to update her resume, as she was concerned about a coming layoff.  I asked her about her resume, and she asked for my help.  When I looked at it, it was very appropriate for a new college grad, which she was 12 years ago.    Knowing her as I do, I asked, "so, basically, you are looking to catch up all these years, right?"   Her field, "engineering," has taken almost as many twists and turns as mine in learning and development.   To keep yourself employable, I can't stress enough that you have to keep your skills current (find out what the industry trends are), keep networking, and plan for having to search for a job sooner than you think.  These are important skills regardless of what your next job title will be.

Feelings, Part Deux

So, I know that I can trust God to take care of us; He's proven it over and over....why do I have this fist-sized knot in my stomach?

The easy answer is that I'm human, that I'm not fully trusting God, and I'm sure those are partly to blame.  More than that, I think it is unexpressed frustration and anger.   I know life isn't fair, but as I look at what is going on in my company ahead of the layoff, I am both saddened and angry that I have not had any input to the "big plans."

I watched as a VP touted the new plans as innovative and "course changing," and how excited HE is,  as HR will be taking care of everything that specialists (training, org development, recruiting, talent management--whatever that is) have spent considerable time developing expertise through study and practice.   My comment to my coworkers as we left the meeting was, "I hope if he ever gets a heart attack, that he'll have a GP (general practitioner) to care for him instead of a cardiac care specialist."   Maybe then he'll feel differently.

This is the logic that is currently being spouted from our corporate leadership--that HR people (they include us professional training and org development people in with them!) have to be able to be a jack of all trades.   They are entitled to that opinion, but my guess is that within 5 years, that "logic" will fall apart.   Of course the entire HRBP (HR Business Partner) is the concept du jour of the HR world, but I wonder how many business leaders look at this and snicker.

I've spent about 20 years in training and development, and personally, I consider it an insult to say that an HR Business Partner (should there have ever been an HR person who wasn't aligning their efforts to the business?) can take on training/OD as well as recruiting, compensation, benefits, etc. and perform well.   I know the years I've spent dedicated to training and OD and how much I am still learning.  I think it amusing to assume that because it is pronounced, HR employees will suddenly become expert in fields they've spent little time learning about and practicing in.

Well, I thought I'd feel better getting this off my chest, but it's just sunk down into my gut again.  This is going to be a fun Fall!

Feelings...woe, woe, woe feelings....

Not being a new comer to the job search discipline, you'd think by now that I wouldn't get too excited about having to go through the whole process again.....but you'd be wrong.

First and foremost, I know God in is control, but why do I feel like "this" on Sunday night before the first round of layoff notices go out tomorrow morning?   Perhaps it is the whole uncertainty of the future thing.  I like where I live, I like what I do, and even I like where I do it.  Who would want anything to change?    Even if you are miserable in your job, the prospect of being laid off and having to search again just seems to trump the other feelings of misery.   Of course, we'd all like to think that we're in control of our own destinies (an illusion), and having something happen to us is most disconcerting.

We all are disturbed at the prospect of change while in our comfort zone at a job, regardless of how "bad" we thought it was.   We realize the prospect of having no job at all is very real and no longer an academic discussion at lunch with our coworkers.  

I'm watching people who've been at my company 25+ years struggle with the feelings that go with the question "what will I do if I'm laid off," and that's just no fun to watch.  Mind you, I'm not having happy feelings at the prospect of being laid off, but I'm not struggling with feelings over the fact that the last time I had to look for a job was when Ronald Reagan was president.

Think about where you were 25 years ago and HOW you looked for a job.  Are newspapers still the first place you'd look for a job today?  Will you go "pounding pavement" and knocking on doors (you won't get past the security desk)?  Will you look for any job just to get into the company and work your way up?  If you've had to look for a job this century, you know that all three of the questions above no longer are possible (or are rarely possible).   This fact, in and of itself, can lead to panic.

I was at a job search resource group and sat down next to a man who'd been in his job with a large, well-known company for 25 years.  We talked a little, and though we were both out of work, I felt bad for him.   The only good thing I could tell him was that being at that job search group would help him tremendously and that he should throw himself fully in all its activities and workshops.  Still, there was a look of doom and gloom on his face that my encouragement just couldn't seem to erase.

Now, we all should keep the perspective that there's always someone worse off than I am, but even knowing I'm not months from retirement or have been in the company 25+ years with no clue how to find jobs in the outside world doesn't seem to make these butterflies settle down in my stomach.

"The Only Thing That Remains Constant is Change"

So, I am at my current job for a year and a few months, and I've now received news that there is going to be a 5% reduction in force.  Needless to say, there are a lot of "non-value added" discussions taking place around the office.  Everyone is wondering if they'll get the call.

The first thing I tell people when they hear this news is that no amount of worrying, scheming, nail biting, trash talking, etc. is going to change what's going to happen.  HR folks are looking at workforce and numbers, and in a large company, they surely do not know who they are cutting by recommending that Dept X cut heads by 10% vs. Dept. Y who is told to cut by 5%.  That's when I tell people to remember that God is in control of the company as well as our lives.

Even with that being the case, it is prudent to get your job search "machine" in motion.  Since you've kept your resume up to date (HAHAHAHA), you're at least 2 weeks ahead of everyone else.  Make sure you begin contacting your professional acquaintances (hopefully, you've never let those relationships slide) and let them know what's going down, and that you'd appreciate any input they have on the job market.  Also, now is the time to locate a few of the key job sites for your profession, and use an RSS reader to subscribe to job listings in your field and area so that you can review the jobs pulled to your reader quickly without having to wade through the muck of a gazillion job listings.  Get your resume out on a few job boards, into professional associations' job banks, and most of all---NETWORK with others in your profession to learn of opportunities and what has been happening in your field, since you most likely got lazy/busy for all the time you've been gainfully employed.

But first of all.....deal with your feelings.  I've talked to a couple at my company that have been with the company for a long time (20+ years) who think it may be "their time" to go.   If that is you, you'll have more emotions to deal with that many of the others, but it isn't the end of the world, just the end of the world as you've come to know it.  It may be that you are about to embark on a new chapter of your life, even if you thought the book of your life had been finished ages ago.  For most who fit that category, the timing stinks, as you are probably struggling with mid-life issues anyway, and now, your job, the thing you may have thought defined you, is going away.  Your life isn't going away, but you may feel like it is.

For the rest of us, it will be an emotional time until all of the layoffs happen, even if we don't think we have anything to worry about.  Of course, now is the time we start thinking about the Dave Ramseys of the world who try to get everyone to get out from under their debt.  Heavy consumer debt can make layoffs even seem more like the end of the world.  Get your spending under control, because you might need some cash for a rainy day very soon.

All-in-all, the emotional part of a layoff seems hardest to deal with for me.  I'd almost prefer for it to happen as it did for me a few years ago---rumors of layoffs were all around, but I didn't see it coming until the boss called me into his office one Friday morning.

Bottom line:  ALWAYS be ready to find a new job, and ALWAYS keep your networks warm.  In this or any economy, none of us know when/if the boss will insist that we come to his office on Friday morning.

Really?

It's been approximately 8 months on my new gig---the best job I've ever had in many ways.  I haven't written a blog entry in 2 months.   So, should I be thinking about my next job?  How many of you say "NO!?"   You're wrong.

The thing is, none of us know how long our jobs will run, with long tenures and golden watches for retirement not the norm, none of us can afford to get complacent.  Have you done a skills inventory lately against the skills currently being sought out in your field?  Is it time to hit a couple of seminars in 2011 to get yourself up to date or to inspire yourself to grow intellectually? 

I've been at my job for 8 months, and since I was, more or less, in job search mode for 1.5 years (though I was working contracts), I find myself like a coworker who, after completing his Master's degree, found himself going to his study on Sunday afternoon as he'd done for a couple of years, realizing that he no longer had to spend EVERY Sunday afternoon in study and paper writing.  It feels weird to NOT be on an intense job search--of course, I'm not complaining.

If you haven't taken stock of your current position/employer/field in a while (like over a year), I would strongly encourage you to do so.  Do a skills inventory, research jobs in your field that you qualify for and/or would like to do and hiring trends at companies that you think you might like to work for.  Expand your social networks, especially LinkedIn.   Right now, employers can afford to be selective when interviewing candidates for the positions they have open, and seeing the skills and experience for which they are looking might be a good indication of where your skills development plans should be going.  Some of the skill needs you may find that your field desires may be something that would take you a few years to acquire.  If you're working now, don't wait until you aren't to update your skills and make yourself more marketable.

*Scratches Head

Every time I have to ask myself this kind of question, I realize that I have that much more maturing to do, but I'll ask anyway.....

Why is it that people who are out of work are reluctant to try new methods of job hunting?  I offer to help people where I live, and there seems to be few takers in a down economy.  I'm not a job hunting expert, but having done enough of it, had outplacement training a couple of times, etc., I have some insights and contacts that I'm happy to share with job seekers, but I get few serious requests.   (checks armpits---nope, nice and clean).

I especially get concerned about those who haven't had to look for a job in a long time (anything over 10 years, or as close as 5 years ago), as the "game" of job hunting has had all kinds of rule changes.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me implore you all again---be preparing for your next job while in the one you have, and if you find yourself out of work, be a guerrilla job hunter, working every angle at finding your next gig.  I feel deeply for people who are unemployed, and feel frustrated when I see them not aggressively searching with a variety of methods that are necessary in today's job hunting climate.

"Survivor" for the Class of 2010

The Wall St. Journal has an superb article on the reality of the job market today specifically directed at the new college graduates...more information below.

I can still remember "way back when" I was newly starting out, believing what I referred to as "the lie" --- "if you go to college, you'll get a good job."  Of course, when you graduate and encounter reality, you're incensed!  It isn't really a "lie" that you can get a good job with a college education, it's just that reality wasn't explained more clearly to you.  As my father explained to me once, education provides you with an OPPORTUNITY for success, not a guarantee.  I can guarantee that if you don't have a college education in 2010, your opportunities will be very limited.

An illustration of the harshness of reality may be helpful here.  I knew a young man who in 1990 who was about to graduate and confidently stated, "I think my degree will be worth about $30,000 a year."  I was listening to him along with another man who had worked hard to build his roofing company, and at this announcement, me and the roofer instinctively turned to look at each other and just started laughing out loud.  The soon-to-be college graduate was somewhat insulted.   I told him that, in effect, the world didn't care about his education and surely wouldn't pay him for having gone to school.   Now, I didn't want to hurt his confidence, but I did want to convey what I had learned (the hard way)---that most young college graduates have what Robert Ringer (Looking Out for Number One) calls "The World Owes Me a Living Disease."  No one owes anyone anything (Someone should let our current government leaders know this.).   The fact that you were disciplined enough to finish a college degree says a lot of positive things about you as a person, and in some fields, there is a body of knowledge with which you have become familiar in getting your degree, but in reality, rather than shake your hand, the world is more likely to kick you in the butt, punting you to the curb.   Now is the time for you to kick your parents in the butt if they ever told you life is fair.  They lied.

Another sad truth is that most young college graduates have no training in job searching in 2010, which is a full-body contact sport with a lot of veteran players on the field.   A relative recently graduated from college, and he seemed somewhat aware of the tough road ahead.  Of course, having spent his last 7 years in college (!), he has no real idea of the tsunami of reality about to hit him. 

Perhaps this Wall St. Journal article can be the kick in the pants for you or a young college grad you know.  It's part of life's body of knowledge that you most likely never learned in college, but is every bit as critical as the subjects you studied to earn your degree.  Your toughness and tenacity is what you will need to survive in the workforce....and I would add your faith, your patience, and your persistence.  "Wax on; wax off."


 ------------------------------EXCERPTS FROM THE ARTICLE:

"Over the next few weeks, hundreds of thousands of Millennials will graduate from institutions of higher learning. They will celebrate for several days, perhaps several weeks. Then they will enter a labor force that neither wants nor needs them. They will enter an economy where roughly 17% of people aged 20 through 24 do not have a job, and where two million college graduates are unemployed. They will enter a world where they will compete tooth and nail for jobs as waitresses, pizza delivery men, file clerks, bouncers, trainee busboys, assistant baristas, interns at bodegas."

"Young people can be forgiven for thinking that the portrayal of the working world in comedies like "The Office" and "Office Space" is completely over the top. Now they're going to find out otherwise. Reality is a mean trick that grown-ups play on the young."

"It's brutal out there, all right. Blogs and instant messaging and social networking systems don't help much because everyone is using the same cutting-edge tools to compete for the same low-tech jobs. The easiest way to get a job is still the oldest way: To know somebody who can get you a job or give you a job."


Read this article in it's entirety!  It'll be worth every minute.   The full article is at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704250104575238692439240552.html.  It's a must read for everyone, not just college students.

Phenomenal Job Search Materials!

Came across a site today (http://www.thomasjackson.info/sale_fish.htm) that has a resource that I haven't seen before, but have often thought of:   a 30-60-90 day step-by-step plan for conducting a job search.   Thomas Jackson's information is incredibly on target, and I think his "Job Search First 90 days Tips & Tricks" resource is something that is a must read for all job searchers, especially those who haven't conducted a job search in some time, haven't attended a networking group, or those who haven't had the benefit of outplacement training.

I see a lot of job search sites, and his may not be the best looking site, but the downloads are as good (or better) than anything I've seen.

Employment Situation Information for Those in Texas

The Texas Workforce Commission provides detailed information on Texas economics as related to jobs (http://www.twc.state.tx.us/customers/jsemp/jsemp.html).   If you need to get some data on Texas and your area in Texas, this is a good place to get it.  If you are from another state, check with your state government/unemployment office for these figures.

A key indicator of employment trends in Texas is the statement, "The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March remained unchanged at 8.2 percent for the fifth consecutive month, and continues to trend well below the March U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 9.7 percent. At more than 12.1 million workers, the Texas Civilian Labor Force grew by nearly 29,000 workers in March." 

The unemployment rate in Texas is significantly lower that the rest of the United States:  8.2 vs. 10.2 (see partial chart below).  It is important to note, however, that for Texas and the US in general, the unemployment rate has risen over the past year by 1.2%, and if you're out there job hunting, you know how much of a challenge finding a job is.

Click image for larger view.

The point of all of the statistical information is to help us all understand state and national trends affecting our job searches.   Yeah, I know, "so what?"  Well, since economics and hiring is based on perception -- either "gut feeling" ("We think we're doing better, so let's hire people.") or by numbers ("These stats show some improvement in economic conditions, so let's hire people."), it is enlightening to know if you have a better chance at getting a new job.   Feeling more confident about success in finding a job will also improve your attitude, and potential employers can pick up your attitude in your correspondence, your phone screens, and definitely in your face-to-face interviews.  Hey, if nothing else, your family and friends will appreciate your better attitude.  Come on, you know you haven't been fun to be around when you are in a nasty state of mind.

"The Labor Market & Career Information Department (LMCI) of the Texas Workforce Commission provides statistics and analyses on the dynamics of the Texas labor market and informational products designed to support informed educational and career decisions. In addition, LMCI provides a wide array of career and occupational information through software programs and printed publications. Visit the LMCI website at http://www.lmci.state.tx.us for additional products and services.  For more information or questions about our data, please contact labor market analysts by phone at 1-866-938-4444, or by email at lmci@twc.state.tx.us."

Job Tip # 48: You are not a Failure

Another networking group in DFW that caught my eye, as they hit the nail on the head....you are not a failure.  Job loss or unemployment can be especially hard on men psychologically, as many men get their self-worth and self-image from their jobs.  A job is indeed a career that you throw yourself into, but it is not WHO YOU ARE.   Easy to say; sometimes hard to remember, right guys?


Job Tip # 48: You are not a Failure
Of course you are not a failure, but this Tip title did get your attention. Here's some suggestions from pro Head Hunter, Nick Corcodilos……If your job search is failing, it's for one of two reasons. First, you may be scared because you believe you're not good at your work. If this is happens to be true, admit it to yourself and do something about it. If you don't, your work will never make you happy or successful. Second, you have been brainwashed like most Americans by the media and by America's Employment System to follow antiquated rules of job hunting. Realize that if this System worked, you wouldn't have to mail out 200 resumes or go on 20 interviews before finding a job.

There is only one rule for success in a job search, and almost no one follows it: you must prove, to the manager for whom you want to work, that you can do the job he needs to have done and that you can do it profitably. This is the single most important rule headhunters live by when they prepare a candidate to interview for a job. http://www.askthehe adhunter. com/habyoh. htm




For those in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex:

The Watermark job support group meets every Tuesday morning, 8am on the 3rd floor of the church tower building, 7540 LBJ at Park Central, free admission, no pre-registration. Here is a video introducing the group. http://cbs11tv. com/video/ ?id=51937@ ktvt.dayport. com

You can sign-up and your resume will be circulated to potential employers in our group.
http://www.watermar k.org/ministries /care/jobs- ministry- careers-in- motion/

James Reed
reed.james@yahoo. com

Contracting: Reality in the Current State of Things

I remember reading some years back that "in the 21st century, many people would be free agents, contractors," but I didn't really believe it.  There are so many reasons for hiring a person, none the least of which is ownership and productivity.  However, after being a contractor for just about a year, I'm not dismissing that as an option anymore.....but then again, I wonder if I can make a living with multiple income streams, some of which involve gardening and woodworking.

I've spent most of this past year in a focused, informed, network-savvy job search.  I've done some presentations at professional groups, had some interviews, even 2nd and 3rd interviews, but no offers.  In the past, I've averaged a couple of calls a week, and on a good week, I would have two interviews with two separate companies.  Not so at the present time.

It's not that I don't like my present contracting situation--it honestly doesn't pay too badly.  It's just that there are no benefits--especially health insurance--and that puts a damper on things. (Disclaimer:  I do not support the socialized medicine that our current administration is pushing.  When a high-ranking Canadian official comes to the US for surgery that he could get "free" in Canada, that says a lot about the highly-touted Canadian system and others like it.)  So, a major concern is health insurance, and if you've had to buy insurance privately, you know why that is an issue.  If you haven't, pray that you never have to, and have an AED nearby when they tell you the rates.


The other thing about contracting is that no matter how involved you get in the business, no matter how great your co-workers are about making you feel at home, you will always be a NON-EMPLOYEE.  I'm not saying that my current contracting company treats me badly; they don't.  It's just that as a contractor, you do not share in any of the "company" things, and there are some issues you have to steer clear of, as no one wants a co-employment issue to crop up. 

Companies like contractors because they aren't as difficult to get rid of (pretty much a phone call will take care of it), and companies want to bring in just the right skills for just the right job.  Of course, that only happens in the bizarro world.  Though a contractor does bring established skills that are useful to a company they contract for, he or she must also get a lay of the land and understand the issues surrounding the work they are contracted to do.   Perhaps some contract positions/temp employees may be able to "drop in" and perform a job adequately, but others need time to assimilate to the work environment, learn what has been done, and understand the political situation to be effective.  

I wonder if when regular employees see contractors filling positions that could be and would be better be served by a regular employee, they may become less engaged (a hot topic these days), as they may be concerned that their position may be given to a contractor or that they are always preparing for the eventual departure of the short-term contractor.

Companies like to tout contracting as being cheaper, but in reality, after the fees by the contracting company (the contractor's employer of record) are taken into account, the cost is about the same.  The only difference is that you have a worker who does not have the same investment in the company's success as a regular employee and who is looking for his or her next contract from almost the start of the job. 

Rebecca Metschke has done it again.....see the article that sparked my comments on contracting.

Are You the Boss of You?

from The Interview Edge by Rebecca Metschke

 

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal ran an interesting piece about the “age of going solo” – working for yourself. While it focused on the ins and outs of how to succeed as a consultant, I was struck by the snapshot of today’s workforce in the article’s setup.

With unemployment stuck on “high” and millions of people in the “long term unemployed” bucket, seismic shifts are taking place in the composition of the workforce.

According to author Richard Greenwald, 20% to 23% of U.S workers are “operating as consultants, freelancers, free agents, contractors, or rmicropreneurs.”

Think about that. Close to one quarter of working Americans are employed on a contingent basis.
Goodbye, defined career paths and benefits – hello, project-to-project work.
With the employment picture looking gloomy for literally years to come, contracting may be in your future, too (if you haven’t gotten there already).

I know many folks who were forced out of traditional jobs during the last recession – and quite a few are still working for themselves today.

Contracting/freelancing/consulting isn’t easy, especially if all you’ve ever known is the 9-to-5 world…but it can be rewarding. Many independent employees will tell you they don’t ever want to go back.
Bottom line: given the lackluster employment outlook, you may very well end up being the boss of you, whether or not that’s what you were planning.

The Interview Edge- a comprehensive guide for people who are serious about their careers. Available in instantly downloadable format.

Reasons to Invest in Your Career NOW

Found a new job hunting site that appears to be targeted at new college grads and 20-somethings http://www.careerealism.com.

This site looks like a 2 x 4 across the forehead for a generation that grew up on the relative affluence of the late 1980's and 1990's, but I know that those of us who are out of our 20s need to hear the same message...don't sit around and just answer Internet job openings all day.  According to CNN, there are 6 people seeking work for every job opening.  While I would challenge that 6:1 is true of every career field, it surely is in some, and as those of us actively hunting for a new job, we know it's tough right now; but then again, so is sitting around doing nothing and whining.  Don't let these numbers bum you out; let it be a challenge to meet head on.  Like I was once told, "You're looking for a job and not many openings. Thing is, you only need 1 job."

15 Reasons Professionals (Ages 18-25) MUST Invest in Their Careers NOW

December 10, 2009 by sparktalk   By CAREEREALISM Founder, J.T. O’Donnell

I saw this video on CNNMoney.com of college seniors being interviewed about their future plans after graduation this spring: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/12/04/n_cmr_class_2010-jobs.cnnmoney/.
YIKES!


Students are on their own when it comes to finding a job – and it’s not pretty. I think the worst part is to see most of them believe the answer is to just stay in school and spend even more money on an advanced degree. I wish they could talk with all the unemployed MBAs out there right now who are knee-deep in loan debt.

Reality-check for College Students & Recent Grads
How you look for work, as well as how you find work you love has changed deeply in the last 20 years. And yet, college teaches you everything EXCEPT how to get the job. That being said, there are two ways you can attempt to learn what you need to in order to take control of your future.
1)   You can try figuring it out for yourself. Unfortunately, most students opt for this, get too busy at school, and end up putting it off until they graduate. They return home, unemployed and hundreds of miles from their campus career center.
2)   You can invest in a program that can help you get organized and focus on the right things to do to identify a career path and land a job. [Note:  This is the site's sales pitch.]

Let’s face it, the latter option is going to help you more and is much faster.

And still, if that doesn’t convince you…
Here are 15 reasons why you should invest in your career early:

• 23%. How much a college education has gone up in the last 10 years.
• 11%. How much the starting salaries of college grads have gone down in the last 10 years. (FYI – In 1985, the average starting salary for a college grad was $40,300. In 2008, the average starting salary was only $39,000 and it continues to drop in this recession.)
• Less than 50%. The number of students who ever see the financial return on their investment in an advanced degree (i.e. Masters, MBA).
• 70M+. The number of Baby Boomers (people in their 50s-60’s) in America who are ‘retirement-ready, but under-funded’ and thus will stay in the job market, holding back the entry of new grads to the workplace.
• 90%+. The number of young people today who plan to go to college because they feel they have to in order to get a job. Most DON’T know why they should go or what they should study!
• $100K+. The minimum you can plan to spend on a college education from top private or state university.
• Less than 30%. The number of students who actually work in a professional setting while they are in high school or college in order to gain professional skills they can use when they graduate.
• 25 years old. The average age before a college grad can finally afford to move out of their parent’s house and live on their own. (They are called Boomerang Kids and K.I.P.P.E.R.S – Kids In Parents Pockets Eating Retirement Savings.)
• 80%+. The percentage of jobs people get by networking. Most people don’t know A) how to create and leverage a network effectively, and B) feel uncomfortable doing it.
• Less than 20%. That’s how many 2009 college grads had jobs when they graduated last year.
• 6:1 ratio. There are 6 job seekers for every job out there right now.
• 18 months. The average time a young person spends in a job in America . The reality is EVERY job is temporary for young professionals.
• 9 careers with an average of 3 jobs in each one. That’s what today’s college grad can expect over the lifetime of their career. Can you imagine looking for a job 27 times!?
• 5 years. The amount of time it’s going to take for us to recoup the jobs we’ve lost from this recession. This does NOT include the additional number of jobs we need for all the college grads in that time.
• 10 years. That’s how long it’s going to take for us to fully recover from this recession: 

http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/12/07/n_cmr_slow_recovery.cnnmoney/.

Networking in a Shaky Economy

If you've read any of my blogs, you know that I put networking at the top of the list---not just for job hunting, but at all times throughout your career.  Below is a short article reminding of how important it is during this tough job-hunting time.

Increase Your Networking Efforts During a Shaky Economy

If thinking about networking makes you reach for an antacid you are not alone. Even for social butterflies it can seem overwhelming. But painful or not, networking is the smart thing to do in a shaky economy.

Here are some networking tips to help you:
Start attending industry and business events. If you hate the thought of walking into a room of strangers, call the organizer and ask for a list of attendees. Usually they are happy to forward the RSVP list. Another approach is to simply arrive early and scan the name tags that are on the table. Invariably, you will see a few names of people you know.

Another advantage of arriving early is that you have an automatic icebreaker with the other early birds, "Looks like we're the first ones here." It also forces you into a small group that others will join as they arrive (rather than you having to break into their group).

If you arrive early, you can also strike up a conversation with the person behind the registration desk, who is often a good source of information about the organization, who's who, and who might be a good person for you to meet.

If group events make you feel like an awkward seventh grader at his first dance, bring someone with you. Ideally, choose someone who is outgoing (bonus points if he or she is well-connected). Another advantage of having a colleague along is that you get to sing the praises of each other to the people you meet-it's easier than talking about yourself. [I tell people that if you wanted to date a person that you see at a networking event, you'd find something to strike up a conversation about!  In this case, it's just your job and livelihood  :) ]

Then there is the good, old-fashioned lunch and breakfast. But don't wait to reach out to someone only when you need something. The best networkers know that you build your network before you need them. Get yourself in the habit of connecting with someone a few times a month. When you can help them out with some information, or make an introduction to someone who might be able to help them, they will value you as a  member of their network and will be glad to reciprocate.

Join a social networking service such as LinkedIn or Facebook. You can stay in touch with people you've met in a non-scheduled, casual way. You can search the site for people you know or ask friends to introduce you to others in their network.

When you network with someone, take notes about what they are interested in, what information they are looking for and actions they have taken for you (such as making an introduction). Whether you track your contact activity in a database management system such as ACT, or just keep a notebook, the important thing is to be organized and have a system for follow up. When I was changing jobs years ago, I kept a spiral  notebook with this information, so I could easily track who led me to whom. This way I could circle back and
thank them and give them updates on my networking progress. People who have taken the time to connect with you want to hear progress reports.as long as you are respectful of their time.

When you are networking don't make it all about you. Ask the other person questions that get them talking about themselves. People always enjoy being with someone who is a good listener. Ask questions such as "How did you get into your field?" "What interesting projects are you working on right now?"  "What organizations do you belong to?" "What do you do for fun?" You can often learn important things about your colleagues that will create a more trusting bond between you.

If someone does do something for you be sure to follow up with a thank you. A simple voice or email message of appreciation will assure them that you understand the unspoken rules of networking. What goes around does indeed come around. Not only can networking be good for hearing about job opportunities, it can be a rich source of long-lasting friendships.

-Joan Lloyd

Joan Lloyd has a solid track record of excellent results. Her firm, Joan Lloyd & Associates, specializes in leadership development, organizational change and teambuilding. This includes executive coaching, 360-degree feedback processes, customized leadership training, conflict resolution between teams or individuals, internal consulting skills training for HR professionals and retreat facilitation. Clients report results such as: behavior change in leaders, improved team performance and a more committed workforce.

Joan Lloyd has earned her C.S.P. (certified speaking professional) designation from the National Speakers Association and speaks to corporate audiences, as well as trade & professional associations across the country. Reach her at (800) 348-1944, mailto:info@joanlloyd.com, or www.JoanLloyd.com
<http://www.joanlloyd.com/> 

Could There Be Even a Slight Improvement in the Job Market?

I tend to believe that we haven't seen the worst of the economic debacle, but I will say that I am seeing more activity in my ongoing job search, as I have been contacted by 3 companies in the past few weeks.  I will also tell you that all 3 came through networking contacts, including one of a person I have only met once or twice while interviewing at a company she worked for!

Whether or not there is good news regarding the economy, I do not know.   I do know that in once instance, the advent of the new year (read new BUDGET year) has created the opportunity.   For those of you who may be getting discouraged in your job hunt as the holidays draw closer, please do not "quit" for the holidays!   Many companies are finalizing budgets for 2010 and are making plans to bring new people on to start in January.  As some companies have had a decent 3rd quarter, they may be optimistic and making plans to try to expand in January.

Press on even harder in your job search now, making contact with your connections, letting them know that you are still in search mode, providing them with a fresh resume and description of your key "selling points."   This may sound like a dumb suggestion, but rename your resume....from "SStein Sept09.doc" to "SStein Nov2009.doc."   You may have some updates you've made, and second, your document will look current to someone who hasn't heard from you lately.  Either way, it might just keep your contacts from overlooking you.

Networking Groups in DFW

Terrific Google Map of networking groups in DFW from Career Search Network.   There has to be one near you.    One or two good ones are all you'll need.  Don't know if it's available for other cities, but worth looking into.

 

www.careersearchnetwork.org

Career Diversification

Once again, Rebecca covers a topic that is so critical, yet I'll bet that the majority of readers of this blog NEVER think of it. Stated another way, never stop asking yourself what you want to do/be when you grow up. If you do, you may find yourself disgruntled with the jobs that are "available" to you.

Rebecca's line "Nothing about the market is static" is very true and applies to life in general. Nothing stays the same, despite our wish for it to do so, but then, it is also true that "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose." ("The more things change, the more they remain the same." Alphonse Karr). Life is in constant change, and as jobs/careers are an important part of life, you can count on them to change; however, if you're like me, you now notice that the changes are predictable and are the same ones you endured at a previous job or from a previous boss. So, things change, and things don't change. :)

Thanks, Rebecca!

______________________________________________________________

October 27, 2009

Career Diversification

The employment landscape is littered with people who’ve allowed their skills sets – and their careers – to become inert. The more competitive the job market, the greater a liability this becomes.  Nothing about the market is static. 

Economies fluctuate. Industries and products alike progress through inevitable stages. External influences – like foreign markets – shift and transform. The one thing you can count on is change.  If you want to succeed professionally, you need to be just as dynamic as the market –and you must avoid tunnel vision. 

Think like a company:  figure out how you can diversify. How can you broaden your reach? How can you break into new markets? How can you extend your brand?

The key is to ensure you’re as marketable as possible. What do you need to do to augment your skills? Is there some sort of project or initiative that would give you good experience and exposure? Volunteer for it.
How might your background and experience apply to another industry? Are there competencies you should pick up that will make you a more attractive candidate should you want to attempt that kind of transition? Who do you need to meet?

Stay on top of trends. Know what’s “hot” and figure out what you need to do to position yourself to get closer to it. Find out what you need to learn…and figure out how to pick up that knowledge or proficiency.
Think ahead and always be looking to broaden your skill set. You’ll be much better positioned to survive during the lean times, and ultimately to thrive.

Rebecca Metschke is the author of The Interview Edge, a comprehensive guide for those who are serious about their careers. Visit http://blog.TheInterviewEdge.com for free tips and strategies to gain a professional advantage.

Job Hunting Presentation in Second Life

Just finished a live presentation in Second Life on job hunting and the use of social media in a job hunt.   Was a very fast hour, and had about 16 avatars/people in attendance.  I got some very nice comments on the presentation, and I sincerely hope that everyone will use what they have learned. 

Job hunting is and isn't the same as in "the past."   I talked a lot about the use of electronic media and how to aggregate job listings to save time looking for openings, but as usual, I came back to something that has never changed in job searching since the beginning--- networking.

Despite all of the wonderful tools and electronic gizmos, finding a job comes down to getting in front of a human and selling yourself.  Bottom line.   Electronic networking tools, fancy resumes, hours spent searching job openings will NOT net you a job.   They can only get you in front of another human....and then, the fun begins.

If I were to list what I consider the second most important thing in job searching (behind networking), it would be to practice, practice, practice your 30-2 min commercials (elevator speeches) until you were mumbling them in your sleep.   This is part of being able to interview well, which is where you win or lose a job offer.  If you know who you are and what you have to offer, and you couch it in "sales" terms ("here's what I can do for you"), you'll have a tremendous advantage over 90% of the rest of the population.

Being prepared for an interview is a book in itself, but being emotional prepared will help you even more.   Frankly, if you go into an interview so worried about getting the job that you can't function, you will fulfill your own prophecy.   Now I have been in some tight spots in my time---had no job/income and was interviewing---and those are tough.   I am blessed with not having debt, and that relieves a lot of pressure.  Of course, picturing my family scraping by because I'm out of work adds a tad more pressure.   I have had to learn the hard way that if I really trust that God will take care of me, I will relax in an interview and my thoughts will flow much better.   It's a test, or should I say like a test that we've all had in school (remind your kids of the kinds of tests adults take and the stakes of performing poorly on THOSE tests).   If you are prepared for the test, your stress level is much lower than if you know you're winging it.  Of course there could be a test that asks questions poorly (bad test design) or something you totally forgot, but that's where part 2 of preparedness comes into play---trust God.

No test, no interview is life ending.  Though we don't believe that we'll ever find another job as our last good job, honestly, we will.   I have often counseled job seekers with two words:  patience and persistence.  You must be patient, and you must never give up.   Since I like Star Trek, the analogy I offer is that of the Borg.  For those unfamiliar with Star Trek:  The Next Generation, the Borg are a race of cyborgs who are notorious for taking over and assimilating other races in the galaxy, and they are incredibly persistent.  Nothing seems to phase them...they just keep coming and coming.   Like the Borg, we must all keep pressing on to find the next job, and most of us need to work on our patience while we do that.

Cyborgs and virtual worlds like Second Life aside, the reality is that job hunting will continue to be the bane of our existence, at least until we land that next job. : )

I Know I've Said This Before...

God is in control. Period. You will destroy yourself if you put the burden of return on your invested job-searching time on yourself. We have to be smart and work hard at job searching, but in the end, we do not control the process. My encouragement is to not let the process control YOU.

...and believe me, I know all too well how hard that is.

U.S. Job Seekers Exceed Openings by Record Ratio

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/business/economy/27jobs.html?_r=1&em

"Job seekers now outnumber openings six to one, the worst ratio since the government began tracking open positions in 2000. "

The last lines of the article: “I’ve learned that I can’t look to tomorrow,” she said. “Every day, I try to do the best I can. I say to myself, ‘I don’t control this process.’ That’s the only way you can look at it. Otherwise, you’d have to go up on the roof and crack your head open.”

In this economy, it takes a lot of work to find a job

Once again, I'm passing on a blog entry from Rebecca Metschke at The Interview Edge in which she nails this issue. I have often said that I hate looking for a job, because I work too many hours looking for a job. It's inconceivable to me that anyone would only do a couple of hours of work per day on finding a job if they do not have a job. If you are working full time, have kids, spouse, and other activities, and you spend 2 hours at night looking for a job, that's more understandable (but you should still be creatively searching and networking during the day).

Could Your Job Search Strategy Use an Overhaul?

The other day I quoted Rich Karlgaard, who said that recessions unmask bad business models. As you’ll recall, he wasn’t just referencing companies…he was citing careers, too.

Those bad business models extend to job search strategies.

Remember the dot com bubble? Candidates in the technology sector were riding high. It wasn’t unusual for a person to decide to change employers on a Friday, make a few phone calls, and have a job offer the following week. Actually, it wasn’t uncommon for candidates to have 2-3 competing offers. No exaggeration.

Obviously, it’s always easier to look for work when it’s a seller’s market. If you could guarantee that you’d only have to look for work when the economy was humming along, you’d be in great shape.

Now, as we’re stuck in the ultimate buyer’s market, though, a lot of people are struggling to find work.

In this economy, it takes a lot of work to find a job.

Most candidates will have to invest a lot of time and go the extra mile to get the results they want.

The problem is – a lot of people are still searching like it’s 1999. Government data indicate that active job seekers spend just 1.97 hours a day looking for work.

Less than two hours a day.

That’s a bad search strategy business model.

One sure path to becoming a discouraged worker…one of those people who has given up looking for work…is to spend less than 2 hours a day on a job search.

If your job search strategy is in need of an overhaul, the first place to look is how much time each day you’re devoting to actively looking for work. Be honest.

Don’t let fear, or worry, or pessimism – or simply not knowing what to do next – paralyze you. Channel all your energy and focus on the job at hand…which is to find a job.

It’s up to you. And you can do it.

http://blog.theinterviewedge.com/the_interview_edge/2009/09/could-your-job-search-strategy-use-an-overhaul.html

Rebecca Metschke is the author of The Interview Edge, a comprehensive guide for those who are serious about their careers. Visit http://blog.TheInterviewEdge.com for free tips and strategies to gain a professional advantage.

So, I'm NOT Imagining Things...

Rebecca is spot on, again .... I just thought it was my imagination, seriously.

Job Search Seem Like It’s Getting Tougher? You’re Not Imagining Things

from The Interview Edge by Rebecca Metschke http://blog.theinterviewedge.com/the_interview_edge/2009/09/job-search-seem-like-its-getting-tougher-youre-not-imagining-things.html

It’s challenging trying to land a job right now – and getting more difficult. If you’ve been feeling the pinch and wondering if “it’s just you” rest assured…the phenomenon is real.

Two things are happening concurrently to create a perfect storm of sorts on the employment front.

First, the Labor Department reported last week that the number of available jobs has fallen by a staggering 50 percent-plus over the past two years; in July there were six unemployed people for every job opening. To put that into context, consider that at the beginning of the recession (December 2007) the ratio was 1.72 to 1.

For further comparison, during the height of the last recession’s lengthy jobless recovery the ratio was roughly 3 to 1. Because that was a much narrower downturn, you may not have felt the impact; ask the folks in the telecom industry, though – which was ravaged – and they will tell you the ratio seemed much worse than that.)

Then we have the fact that we’re in the midst of a buyer’s market, which only exacerbates the competition. Many employers with jobs to fill opt to bypass the unemployed and instead choose to set their sights on those who are still working.

This concept isn’t something new. There's almost always a preference on the part of hiring managers for passive candidates – people who are employed and not currently searching. Those folks are considered more desirable.

Various reports, however, indicate that the penchant for hiring companies to target only those who are employed elsewhere is on the rise. The belief is that if a person has made it through this extended downturn unscathed, there’s a good chance he or she could be a top-notch candidate. When you can afford to be choosey, candidates who've been laid off may not even get a first look. (This preference is extending across the board, from line workers to senior managers.)

This means unemployed job seekers are in waters that are only getting choppier.

I point this out not to discourage you – actually, just the opposite. Sometimes when the obstacles appear overwhelming, you can begin to doubt yourself. You might wonder what you’re doing wrong, or figure that surely you are contributing to the situation…when that may not be true at all.

Of course you should step back and objectively review your search strategy periodically to see what you can do differently or how you can be more effective. But the fact that you’re not making headway at the moment may not have anything to do with you. Sometimes circumstances simply are what they are, and the competition is extremely challenging.

Keep at it. Search smart, be creative, roll up your sleeves, understand it’s probably going to some time – but don’t give up.

The Interview Edge - required reading for people who are serious about their careers.