LinkedIn's Changing Interface

If your LinkedIn's interface has not yet changed, it will shortly. As with any change, there is good and not so good as a result. Some items are easier to maneuver and some are not. What has not changed, and will not change are the following:

Your profile is very important. Spend your time on that first and foremost.

Your Linked In effort is worthless unless you use it.  Your LinkedIn connections are your Board of Directors. It is to them that you reach out for guidance and advise. Be careful with your connections.  Your best ones are former co -workers and supervisors, who know you, have worked with you, and will give you their best effort. Having 500 connections consisting of strangers who are not interested in anything about you except the rest of your connections is nothing to be proud of.

Take your time, pay attention to your profile and to your connections and you will find that Linked In is really the powerful tool that you think it can be.













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So Much Confusion!

Confusion reigns in the workplace. Distraction centered on everyday life as well as the national scene continue. How to cope? Remember that you are number one! Think like an entrepreneur. Take  inventory of your skills/abilities/and successes and how you can continue to grow in your area. How can you sell these skills? How can you improve them?

Consider setting up a small side business. That business may come in very useful someday; it may serve to tide you over during a layoff, or an early, unexpected retirement. Better yet, you may someday build it into your main professional thrust.
Be aware and be ready.





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Stephen S. Fuller Institute

The Washington Post of Monday, January 20, 2017 highlighted The Stephen S. Fuller Institute and its predictions for the DC area for 2017 and beyond. Stephen S. Fuller is the former head of George Mason University's Center for Regional Analysis. He semi-retired in 2015 and now runs his own shop, so to speak.

 I recommend, for any DC area followers, subscribing to his monthly analysis called "Washington Economic Watch". His predictions are most interesting especially in light of our current "business-friendly" new presidential administration. The analysis is free.

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Where do we go in 2017?

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A new president was inaugurated late last week. Many of my clients are asking me what will happen to the American job market. I can make generalizations but really...no one knows.

Mr. Trump is known to be friendly to business. He is a businessperson himself and has employed a lot of people. He has make many statements  about how his administration will help American business.

The facts, however, are these. Our economy is changing. Automation, globalization, artificial intelligence and technology have all been bearing down. Industries are disappearing and new ones are born every day. The pace is rapid. Skills are of maximum important. The ability to learn and to continue learning is paramount for each individual, and much of this learning must be self initiated. One cannot wait for the employer to direct.

The economy of future is now. Be ready.

Keeping up with trends.

Falling Unemployment Rate

It has been quite a bit of time since my last post. I am happy to say that I now have more time to devote to my blog and much more to say about career development and all its joys and pitfalls.

Perhaps a good place to start is the present job market. Once again the media is touting the falling unemployment rate...and once again I ask "and what kinds of jobs are they talking about?"

The bottom line is ....follow the money. If you are searching for a position where you can stay and grow, look at the industries where there is need, consider the tradeoffs, and then go for it. Bite the bullet;, seek out further training (which does not have to be graduate school, depending on the field) realize that you may have to work evenings and weekends, depending on the industry, and do it. There is a huge need for healthcare professionals in the country, and not just nurses.....cybersecurity continues to grow. These are just a few.  Evaluate yourself, your resources and skills, prepare to work hard and you  find your way. 

Following Your Passion

I recently read an article from "Brazen Careerist" about following one's career passion. In the past, career coaches and counselors always advised their clients to follow their passions. The article pointed out, and justifiably so, that today, that is not enough. It is not about you...it is about your customers. Can you convince your customers that your passion should become theirs? If you can, go for it...but you still need to realize that 1) it is not about you and 2) you need to differentiate yourself from everyone else in order for that "customer" or interviewer or hiring manager to go with you rather than someone else. That means getting a firm handle on your personal brand that is...just what you have to sell, and then being able to communicate it. If you found this post useful and interesting, please consider sharing via the buttons below.

MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)

Have you taken a MOOC? MOOC's are offered by accredited universities at little to no money and are open to anyone. Most are credit-less; however, some offer professional recognition. Such courses can grow or solidify your skills set and for that reason alone they are something to consider. Here are a few of the many online options available: www.coursera.org; mooc-list.com; online-Stanford.edu. If you found this post useful and interesting, please consider sharing via the buttons below.

Blogging!

Today, a potential client told me he has actually read  my blog. I have been hearing from other clients about this too. I am so happy to hear that this blog is actually in service to people, and it seems that they like what I say.

I will continue to talk about what I consider pertinent subjects in career development. I will continue to harp on the need for every working adult to take a "career checkup" every year, just as we take an annual medical exam. I will continue to encourage attention to your network. Thinking that you can just snatch a network out of the air when looking for a new job or career is delusional. I will continue to encourage every one of us to be open to all opportunities, further education, whatever it may take to add to a skills base.

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This is Not About You Today: It is About the Employer

The modern job search is not all about you, and that it still hard to believe especially for those living in parts of the US where the economy has been relatively strong during the economic downturn. The modern job search is about the employer and the skills that he/she needs. If you have those skills, you will be hired. If you do not, you will not be hired.

What are the skills that a modern worker needs? Remember that there are hard and soft skills and employers want both. If you are lacking in some, you will not be hired, because employers today can always find someone who has the total package. Therefore, you as the job searcher must find out what hard and soft skills are needed and get them. Period. It will mean research first, perhaps working with a career coach, perhaps going back to school in some way.

Your career voyage will not yet be done. Prepare to become a lifetime learner. Constantly researching and acquiring new skills will be the ticket into the future.

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Once again, I am seeing a round of clients determined to change careers rather than changing jobs within the same industry, and these folks are coming from all walks of life. So many say the same thing; a feeling of disenchantment, no encouragement on the part of management of teamwork, and certainly no acknowledgement of a job well done.

I probe my clients even before we plan to work together. Do they really want to change careers? Do they understand the sacrifices of time, money, etc that goes into a career change? Many do not, because they waited too long to even make the inquiry.

If you truly begin to feel that what you do professionally is not the answer anymore, do not delay. Seek out the services of someone like me. Do not wait until you are so unhappy that an instant fix is all you will be able to tolerate. There is no instant fix in any world, and especially when changing careers. Start to consider your next career when you begin your present one; look for your next job the day you start one.
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How is your momentum? Are you keeping at your career/job search? Allowing yourself distractions does not help. I recently began working with a client who has been out of the job market for many years due to child raising. Unfortunately, during that time, she allowed her marketable skills to atrophy. Distractions from her goal, that is finding a good, enjoyable, permanent job, continue to pull at her, even now when her children are almost grown and do not require the kind of attention that they once did. Time can slip by very quickly.

Do not allow yourself to be distracted! This is about you and the rest of your life. Make appointments with your career coach. Follow up and follow up again.

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Staying Home With Children

Recently, I have seen a rash of adults who left their careers and stayed home to raise children for several years. Now they are ready to return to the job market and are at a loss as to how to proceed.

Certainly, transferable skills awareness is the way to go. To become very aware of what transferable skills you had before the children were born is important, especially if not much time has passed. Hopefully, there were new transferable skills developed during the way based on volunteerism or perhaps even paid part time work while being an at home mom or dad.

If you find yourself in this situation, be as open as possible to a thorough review of transferable skills, to returning to school to acquire new, more marketable skills, and to paying attention to the networking opportunities that you have developed so far. It may take some time to find the career that you want and that will fit with your lifestyle. Nothing worthwhile happens quickly, and that is true in career development as it is in everything else.

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The Era of the Temporary Worker is Beginning!

I remember the days that temporary workers existed only as support staff, or in Engineering fields. Either a "temp" was a secretary or a "job-shopper". Frequently, people made livings this way, usually in bad times. All that is now changing, and no where will it be more apparent than in Washington DC.

As federal government spending tightens. we begin to see government contractors shedding people. The response is that most of these people now want federal jobs essentially for the security. Be aware that nothing today is secure. More and more people will have to earn their livings "temping"...ie working on contracts for government contracting organizations, while being aware that there is no guarantee that the contract will renew or even complete its original schedule! The era of Temping is here! Are you ready for it?

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Getting More Play?

A long time client just reported that after several years of intense networking, suddenly he is getting some "play", that is interest in his skills and abilities from prospective employers which he has not seen before, including from industries that he never thought would produce any connection. He admits that he has spent so much time intensely networking that he has not paid any attention to other aspects of his life...he need to consider his physical space, in case a new position means a move elsewhere; he also needs to pay attention to his financial situation.

Might a new position, if everything else were "in place" mean starting at a lower salary? It just might....therefore, it is very important to be aware of where you stand financially. A new position might mean a lateral or even a step back but such a position might expose you to a new and better skills set which would ultimately lead you to an even better and more prosperous future.

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Can't Or Won't

There is a school of thought that says if you continue doing the same thing again and again and it is not working, try doing something else. This is true in career change too....a recent returning client has been trying for two years to secure employment. At one time, he considered retraining in another field, but put that aside for a variety of reasons. Now he is rethinking his earlier decision.

Earlier, he gave many reasons for not retraining...but the real reason, I believe, is that he could not accept that the skills he has are not in demand. Two years of coming close to a new position, but just missing out every time has now led him to believe that retraining might be the ticket. Is that scary? Sure. Does he want to work? Yes. Therefore, he has his answer, and I hope to continue to stay in touch as he retools and seeks alternate employment.

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Burning Bridges-Never a Good Idea

I am presently working with a client who, as a temporary worker, was treated poorly by the employer. He was told he had the "inside track" toward a permanent job, did more than what was required of him in terms of job performance, and then found out through another source that he would not be getting the job. When he asked, the reason given to him as to why the employer was hiring someone else was, in his opinion, shaky at best. Therefore, he left immediately, causing coverage problems for the employer and prompting a scene between him and his immediate supervisor. He was told not to expect a good reference.

While his reasons for leaving immediately were understandable, the way he handled it was poor. Never burn your bridges! At all times, your intent to get leave an employer with good feelings and with a positive reference. My client is now working on securing a positive reference from another source within this temporary job. I hope he will be able to do so.

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Are You a Female in the Workforce?

Randstad, the international staffing company recently issued a report detailing results of their ongoing surveys that are part of the Randstad Engagement Index. The latest report talks about women's insights and perspectives on work and how they view the economy's impact on their jobs.

Women say that the top skills needed in the workplace today are "flexibility and adaptability, followed by knowledge of technology and teamwork."

It is obvious that employers need to pay attention to this for both hiring and retention purposes. Women are proving to be academically superior in our schools, have better graduation rates, and should be developed as leaders. It will be the wise employers who will benefit.

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Looking Overseas to Find a Job

The Sunday, November 25th edition of The Washington Post carried an interesting article about Americans looking overseas to find jobs. It highlighted several individuals who were unable to find well paying or even any kind of job in their fields here, but found new and very good jobs abroad. The Department of State estimates that 6.3 million Americans right now are studying or working abroad. If you are looking for work, consider this as an option.

Lots of these newly employed Americans are teachers, but the article also follows one couple who are respectively a medical research assistant and a non profit employee and who both found work in Asia, a booming area, per the writer, Emily Matahar. Because of the high number of foreigners moving abroad, the writer also states that most Americans, even without local language skills, easily find the international community and fit right in.

There is no doubt that the job market is still a tough sell for most people. People will pay you for the skills that they want. You may have an easier time finding work aboard, at the same time adding to your resume as well as your bank account, by looking to the other side of the world.

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Videos...Videos

Never underestimate the power of a video. You've reached out to prospective employers with resumes, your own website, blogs, LinkedIn sites...etc. How about a video?

Videos are easy to create, and you can upload something short highlighting you in action to your own website, if you have one, or to your LinkedIn. It is one more way to communicate and to get your message out. Make sure you spotlight a situation where you are demonstrating your skills, be it in public speaking, training, leading a meeting...whatever. A picture is better than a thousand words. Try it today.

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Network, Network, Network!

Recently, I worked with a client who is finishing her master's degree and is concerned about her future employment. She asked me for the one outstanding piece of advise that I could give her...and I told her what I wrote above..."network, network, network".

People hire people, not resumes, or networking cards or LinkedIn profiles. People hire people who they either have worked with before, or who have worked with someone they know and value. That is why smart employers offer cash rewards to employees who bring them hirable candidates. This has always been important, and now more than ever.

Is being invited to networking functions enough?...no...you have to go, and work the room. Is being on LinkedIn enough?...no, you have to use it. Should you wait until you need a job?....no, networks need tending. Popping up on someone's radar only when you need them is ill advised, and frankly rude.

Networks do not grow overnight, and can easily die if not cared for. So pay some attention to your LinkedIn; take the holiday invitation and respond "yes" and go. Your working life may depend on it.

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