Be Relevant

Do you "get it"? Are you relevant?

In today's job market, you must show transferable skills that someone is willing to pay you for. Do you know what your transferable skills are?

• Are they current – that is, used within the last 10 years?
• Do you know the kinds of skills a hiring manager or a recruiter in your field is looking to "buy"?

If you cannot answer "yes" to the two questions above right now, then it is time that you learn to, and learn to quickly, because you are wasting your time if you do not. What skills you developed even just a few years ago, if not relevant and current now, are of no use to you in any job hunt.

Try Google Alerts and Indeed.com and look at job descriptions that come up. If you are not at least a 90% (and more) match then do not bother to apply; even with this, showing added value as well as using your network to come to the attention of the hiring manager is key.

Many clients ask me about functional resumes, very popular with career changers. What I tell them is that today, functional resumes are usually red flags to hiring managers and recruiters. What these folks want to see on a resume is a match and experience with the skills that they are hiring. If you do not have those skills, get to work on getting them by volunteer experience, schooling or certifications. Be relevant. You will be glad that you did.

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Getting Ready

Occasionally I come upon clients, or better still, clients come upon me who
realize how important it is to always be looking ahead.  This is no simple feat, because life and career can change so rapidly and frequently that looking ahead sometimes is as clear as mud. This morning I met with such a client who has targeted Sept. of 2013 as when she wants to be working in a new position. She paid attention to what she sees coming, contacted me and is giving herself plenty of time to get ready and launch an effective job search campaign. In this recessionary atmosphere, it is the rare job change candidate for whom the next position comes along quickly. Take time to look ahead...take even more time to prepare and launch. You will be glad that you did.

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It Can Be Done!

This am, I had a call from the mom of a former client of mine. The client is a 2012 college grad who has just landed her first job. It is not exactly what she wanted, and it looks like it may not last beyond the end of 2012, but she secured it by working her network, she will be making a decent salary, and she has benefits. It also gives her about a 6 month reprieve to look for her next  position and adds to her resume and her network. I sent congratulations to my former client, wishing her well, and praising her on her success. She kept at it, presented herself well and is now employed!

Keeping At It

Do you feel like your job search is now and will be neverending? Do not be discouraged; you are not alone. Now is the time to take even better care of yourself, to volunteer and learn new , keep current and even update transferable skills that you already possess. Are you working your network, online and in person? Remember that resumes do not get people jobs...people do.

Are you actively social, getting out everyday, talking to people, looking to do for them as much or even more than they do for you? Sitting on your couch or even in front of your computer will not get you your next job. Working your present network and building new connections, updating skills and using those skills for the betterment of others...these are the things that will in the long run work. Keep at it.

Is Owning a Small Business For You?

Tough economic times got you down? Many Americans are reacting to unhappy stressful working environments or no working environments at all by opening their own small businesses. Have you considered this option? Here are some considerations before taking the leap!

Are you an entrepreneur? There are several ways to evaluating whether or not you have the personality or drive to run a small business. Entrepreneurship is not for everyone. This link can help you determine if you have what it takes. Go to http://isquare.com/qualities.cfm.

What kind of small business would you like to own? Evaluate your own professional background and your transferable skills. Then do your market research. Is there a niche to be filled by your business idea?

Evaluate your financial situation. Where will start up funding come from? How will you sustain yourself? It might be better to keep your day job and work on your small business at night and on weekends. Be careful. Have an exit strategy that is ethical. Do not steal customers, employees, etc. Leave as friends. Your present employer may be a source of subcontracting business in the future.

Your own community may have sources of assistance for you. Have a look.

She Has The Contacts!

A returning client to me with whom I just finished working reported that she has secured a wonderful new opportunity in a new industry. How did she find it? She leveraged her contacts. She kept in touch, added them to her LinkedIn profile, used them as her "board of directors", and in a short while, found a new position. It also helped that she has great skills, which she has not only kept up but added to all the time. So what do we learn from this? In this economy, more than ever, a combination of great, current marketable skills plus an active networking plan can spell success!

Is Staying at Home With Children "Real" Work?

The latest war of words in this year's presidential race http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/mommy-voters-in-dc-talk-careers-staying-home-and-the-economy/ spotlights our continuing national debate about whether or not staying home to raise kids is "real" work. I am not going to enter this fray; however, what I am going to say, as a career coach, is that every one of us has the choice to make over whether  to step out of the workforce  and concentrate on raising our children, or stay in the workforce and do both. There are a lot of factors to consider; ours is not a society that makes it easy on the family to do both. The input from a career coach can help you make the decision. It is worth your time and effort.