Career Hub

Maneuvering Within the Schoolyard

All I ever needed I learned in kindergarten. There’s a book that makes a great case for this concept and while I’m not sure I totally agree, one point is indisputable…the concept of the schoolyard.

The schoolyard is the community in which your identity is first formulated, and it’s both this identity and recognizing the identity of others that determines everything from who you will play with in the sandbox to whether you will someday be a leader or follower. Are you the football quarterback, the cheerleader, the geek, the bully, the rich kid or the kid that, to date, no one has noticed?

Ok now fast forward to the workplace and it should be more than apparent that the schoolyard cast members are alive and well in the workplace. However now there are four generations in the schoolyard, Generation X, Generation Y, Baby Boomers and Traditionalists. All generations have been raised by generations with differing values and work habits. And all must live and work together.

Are you thinking of changing jobs because you don’t like the office bully, the boss’s pet or the sneaky geek? Perhaps you need to rethink that strategy because another of whoever is bothering you will be waiting for you at the next job! Never run from anything! Run toward something better!

Are You Being Selfish Enough to be Successful?

It might seem like a strange question to ask you. How can being selfish make you more successful?

But in a way that was what I was asked at my recent mastermind group intensive. Well at least that was one of the key ‘truffles’ that I came away with after spending 3 virtual days with a great group of coaches and consultants who make up a mastermind group of peers that have now been together for our third year.

A truffle is when you have an aha moment, or something that could well have been staring you in the face suddenly jumps right up and bangs you on the side of the head. It was the first morning of the intensive and I was challenged to come back to the group after lunch with a presentation on why my business had not been doing as well in 2007 as I had hoped or planned.

Initially I frantically did some research on my numbers (never had been a strong point of mine, keeping a finger on the pulse of the business). Then over a quick bite to eat contemplated what it was that was stopping me from being successful?

Then the truffle sneaked up and gave me a whack

I pride myself on being helpful, connected, willing to share information, resources, time, advice, insight etc etc – in fact so much was my desire to be well thought of that I was prioritizing these things ahead of my business.

I was not saying NO.

At the end of the meeting we all presented on what we had got out of the three days and what action steps we were going to commit to in 2008, or at least for the first 90 days.

Normally I come away from these meetings with some new ideas to implement, new tools, new technologies. This time none of that – it was a new way of being. The meeting was in some ways the best that I have attended. In others the worst because we did not get a chance to socialize, have fun, see reactions etc – I look forward to November for that.

But I did come away with a clear set of new ‘rules’ to live by;

• No and seeing the positive outcome of saying no
• No to returning to what I had left in my office and business at the start of the week
• No to more hours for less fun, family, life, balance etc

So for 2008 I am going to say NO more often – if you are a friend, family member, colleague, client, associate you are on notice that I might be saying no, but it is going to be a positive no and I am still the same person.

I am learning the benefit of being incredibly selfish, not in an arrogant way but ensuring that there is time for me, my family and my business. Without that selfishness there will not be a me and that means I won’t be around to attract what is possible for me.

So are you being selfish for you?  Can you stop yourself from saying yes to;

• interviewing for positions that you know are wrong, or meeting with companies or recruiters who compromise your values
• the extra workload or staying late at the office when you should be heading home for family time
• those opportunities that are going to be a distraction and drain on your time and take you away from where you should be focused.
• continuing to be treated disrespectfully or being under appreciated for all that you do for others.
• doing one more thing and then never having the time to treat yourself to a luxury, a trip or even just some me time.

What do you think?

Cross posted on Reflections of a Square Peg

27 Recession-Proof Metropolitan Areas

Of the 408 metropolitan areas tracked by the BLS, 27 grew faster than the available workforce during the recessions of 1990 and 2001, and in 2007. These 27 areas are most likely to be recession-proof in the future.

A area was considered "recession-proof" if and only if employment grew more than 1.2% in each of the three 12-month time periods shown below.

State Metropolitan Area 1990 2001 2007 Arizona Prescott 7.7% 3.0% 1.8% Arkansas Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers 3.6% 3.4% 2.4% California Bakersfield 4.5% 1.3% 2.3% California Chico 3.9% 1.6% 1.9% California El Centro 4.3% 5.2% 4.2% California Madera 11.0% 3.0% 1.9% California Redding 4.7% 1.7% 1.7% Colorado Grand Junction 2.3% 2.8% 4.9% Georgia Valdosta 1.9% 3.4% 1.6% Idaho Coeur d'Alene 8.7% 3.4% 3.9% Louisiana Alexandria 2.2% 1.4% 1.2% Louisiana Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux 2.2% 1.4% 2.9% Louisiana Lake Charles 2.7% 1.3% 2.2% Montana Billings 2.5% 3.7% 6.2% New Mexico Farmington 3.9% 2.7% 1.7% Oregon Bend 3.0% 1.4% 2.4% Pennsylvania State College 2.9% 1.5% 1.3% Texas Brownsville-Harlingen 2.3% 1.3% 2.6% Texas Laredo 7.9% 3.9% 2.0% Texas Odessa 4.5% 1.4% 1.5% Texas Tyler 1.9% 1.7% 2.7% Utah St. George 11.8% 4.7% 3.6% Washington Bellingham 1.4% 1.7% 3.3% Washington Kennewick-Richland-Pasco 2.0% 3.4% 4.0% Washington Olympia 3.8% 1.4% 2.9% West Virginia Morgantown 2.6% 1.6% 1.4% Wyoming Casper 2.1% 2.8% 2.3%

Note: The exact 12-month time periods used for these calculations were 07/90-07/91, 02/01-02/02 and 12/06-12/07. Details and updates are available on the Targeting page of JobBait.com.

Job Search on a Shoestring

Earlier this week, my client asked me about the "R" word -- no, not resumes or resume writing, but the other "R" word impacting today's job seeker -- recession. She asked me if I had any tips on the best way to cut costs when looking for a new job. At the time, I didn't have a list, however, I've been pondering her question since. Listed below are 15 ideas I've thought of to reduce job-search-related expenses. Feel free to add to this list; your ideas are most welcome.

• What features can you absolutely live without on your cell phone to reduce your monthly rate?
• What about bundling services for DSL/Internet, cable, and residential phone charges?
• How about making coffee at home instead of buying it daily from your local coffee shop...at least until you're employed again? Maybe it won't be as flavorful, but it's money in your wallet. Also, can you give up your bottled water and drink "tap" for a while?
• If you have a tendency to watch television in your home office, do you really need 800 stations? What features can you drop without absolutely freaking out? (24 isn't on, anyway!)
• Instead of meeting with a contact for lunch or dinner, what about a breakfast/coffee meeting at your favorite place?
• When you must meet someone for lunch (on your dime), what about choosing a restaurant that isn't the priciest in town?
• Do you keep track of receipts in the event you need to return a job search item (pen, pad, portfolio, paper, etc.) to ensure a full refund of your money?
• Plan activities that are "free" when you need to get out of the house; visit a public museum, library, science center, art center, or historical site.
• Rent movies instead of going to the cinema when you need a break from job search activities.
• Repair and shine shoes instead of buying a new pair.
• Clip coupons. Save coupons. Use them. What about generics instead of name brand?
• Check online to identify retailers that offer coupons. Here's a coupon from Border's Books for example, worth 20% savings to you on your career-related book purchases.
• Inquire about the specific cost of professional career services and agree to a price before you purchase them. Also, ask about discounts and/or package deals.
• Watch for sales, if any, at your favorite clothing retailer. Ask about upcoming promotions.
• Plan, organize, and manage your daily schedule to minimize gas consumption and avoid unnecessary running around. What about public transportation if it is available to you?

Here's to money in your pocket and to a successful job search on a shoestring!

posted by: billiesucher

Can Rejection Be a Good Thing?

One of the most common fears associated with job search is the fear of rejection.

We all hate to be rejected, and the job search is often a series of 'nos' - either implied (because no one calls you back) or overt (because they choose someone else for the job).

But however upsetting it is to be told no, I encourage you to think of it not as a personal rejection, but just as a sign that this wasn't the right thing for you.

Let's face it, if they didn't hire you then either (a) you actually weren't the right fit for that specific job, company and/or culture, or (b) you were the perfect fit and they're too inept to understand it. Either way, you deserve better!

Plus. who knows what will happen as a result of the 'no' you received? Many years ago, I was turned down for a job I really wanted. I think I cried for a week. But a few months later, I got a different job - where I met my now husband. If I had got the job I wanted, I wouldn't have met him, we wouldn't have moved to Canada together, and then to the US 7 years later, and we wouldn't have started our business together.

Knowing all this doesn't make rejection hurt any less, but it does help to remind me that sometimes you're just not supposed to get the job.

Cross-posted on Blue Sky Resumes Blog

The Downside of Online Applications

Sometimes I wonder what employers are thinking, particularly when it comes to hiring methods.

I just spent over an hour helping a highly skilled and experienced RN complete an online application and upload her ASCII résumé and cover letter to apply for a job in the cath lab of a large suburban hospital. How did we ever get to the point where having an email address, being able to complete an online application, and knowing how to upload an ASCII résumé were prerequisites to providing expert clinical care to patients undergoing diagnostic and interventional heart catherizations? 

The media keeps reporting on the nursing shortage and impending crisis in the healthcare industry. The average age of today’s RN is 46.8 years … which means most nurses probably graduated from college in the late 1980s, or earlier. Long before the Internet took over and changed the way professionals look for work. 

Sure, we are in the computer age and e-mail, online applications, and electronic résumés are more the norm than the exception. But, what about the RN who never jumped on this electronic band wagon – or the school bus driver, mechanic, machine, operator, dock worker, or forklift driver? Are they less qualified to perform the responsibilities of the job because they never developed the new-age skills needed to apply for the job?

Perhaps it’s time for the pendulum to swing back the other way and for logic to again factor into the hiring equation. Had I not been available to help an RN navigate the cumbersome and unforgiving online application – had I not been around to demonstrate how to upload an ASCII résumé – had I not encouraged her to keep trying in spite of her frustration, a large suburban hospital would have missed the chance of adding a talented, highly skilled, experienced and dedicated professional to their healthcare team.

Online applications and electronic résumés certainly streamline things for HR, but at what cost to the less computer savvy or older job seeker?

posted by Norine Dagliano

Recession-Proof Your Career

 According to a recent article in The New York Times, the U.S. Department of Labor reports that  the unemployment rate as of December 2007 is 13.2% higher than it was in December 2006. Historically, a year-to-year difference of 13% or more has led to a recession. While these statistics don't offer proof that a recession is underway, now is certainly a good time to look at your job, company, and industry and think through strategies for recession proofing your career. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself to get you started.

Analyze your industry
Is your industry growing or shrinking? Have certain job functions been eliminated, automated, outsourced, or off-shored? Could you easily do every aspect of your job from home...in your pajamas? If your industry is shrinking, what skills do you have that are transferable to another, more robust industry?

Review your skills
Have you diversified your skills over the past 5 years? What competencies do you possess that your colleagues do not? Do you volunteer for new projects that require you to stretch and make you a little less replaceable?

Be a continuous learner
Have things changed in your industry within the past 5 years? If you had to look for a new job tomorrow, would there be something lacking in your skills that would raise a red flag with employers?

Be visible
Do people in your industry or profession know about you? Can they find out more about you by visiting Linked In, Zoom Info, or Ziggs or just plain Googling you? Is your online presence distinct or are you one of thousands of John Does?

Share information
When was the last time you offered career advice to a friend or colleague? Do people see you as the type of person they would like to help if you were seeking career advice or would they duck and cover?

Always have your resume ready
If the perfect opportunity presented itself tomorrow, would you be able to quickly shoot your resume off to the decision maker or would you be scrambling around to create a half-baked cut and paste document? Would you feel confident that your resume adequately represents your accomplishments and the value you can bring to an employer?

Posted by Barbara Safani

Social Networking Showdown

Social networking for personal, career, and business reasons became the Killer App for 2007 and keeps on growing. LinkedIn, the number-one business networking site (15+ million active users and 4 million visitors each month) is widely recognized by serious job seekers and entrepreneurs as a valuable source of network contacts, referrals, and business and job leads.

With the ability to post a resume or bio online, as well as recommendations, many job seekers have found their LinkedIn profile increases their digital presence and credibility. Even passive candidates (those employed and theoretically not looking for a new job) can be “sourced” for interviews by recruiters and potential employers.

While LinkedIn has an established “business/career” benefit, Facebook and MySpace were introduced as more “personal” social networks. And their numbers reflect that: Facebook has 30 million active users and 17 million visitors each month, while the behemoth MySpace has 110 million active users and 61 million visitors each month. Clearly, these two dwarf LinkedIn in size.

However, here’s an interesting fact: Facebook has the fastest-growing demographic in the 25+ age group. This may be due in part to the popularity of social networking for personal reasons and its transition into older groups who have seen Facebook’s widespread use among teen-agers. But there is also a trend among the 25+ age group to expand Facebook’s use for career and even business purposes.

Will there be a final showdown of the top three social networking sites? Or will they happily co-exist? Certainly each site has evangelists and die-hard proponents. However, there are folks who will have profiles on more than one of these social-networking sites.

Why? Perhaps to maximize networking visibility for a job search, professional services, or business products – that comes readily to mind. But what about simply “joining in the conversation” on each distinctive community and/or creating your own “niche” communities to connect? Are you on more than one of these sites? What are your reasons?

By the way, here is my LinkedIn profile.

Cross-Posted at Career Goddess Blog

The Tread Mill

Okay, so I made three resolutions on December 31st and here it is, 17 days into the New Year and so far, I've stuck with them. Yes, all three of them. Granted, I still have, uh, let me see, about 349 more days to go, or should I say, not stop, quit, abandon, give up, lose interest, and/or revert to my old ways. But the good (glorious) news is that to date, my resolve continues.

My first (and only) personal resolution is to get myself in stronger physical condition. Not that I plan to re-climb Camelback Mountain or trek across America, it's just that I'm committed to an overall fitness plan of eating better and exercising more on a consistent basis. Let me qualify exercising more...I mean more than I was, which was pretty much none. So, anything above none, for me, would be more!

The other day I got a bit discouraged, though, when a very svelte individual hopped on the treadmill next to me and effortlessly started running (not jogging, thank you) at high speed for a long, long time. Didn't even break a sweat! Never mind, I kept telling myself; keep walking Sucher, one foot ahead of the other at your own pace. This physical fitness stuff is tough! Grueling it is! Sweaty, drippy, nasty, un-fun, uncomfortable, even painful, hard work -- and worth it!

Sort of like looking for a new job in the New Year. Never mind that your best friend made one phone call and snagged his dream job. Never mind that your colleague in Houston landed an unbelievable gig through an executive recruiter. Never mind that no one called you back after nine interviews. Never mind that your buddy who said he'd hook you up with some contacts seems to be quite unavailable now. Never mind, never mind!

Bottom line, whether I'm trying to get fit, or you're trying to get a new job, it's incredibly hard work. It takes relentless commitment and perseverance. It takes wits and will. It takes endurance and consistency on a daily basis. It takes mental stamina, confidence, and positive self-talk.

And it works a whole lot better if you don't compare yourself to the person, one over, on the tread mill. You're not them. You're YOU -- the rare and distinct and remarkable -- yes, even downright amazing, BRAND YOU! Even when you have days when things don't go as you'd hoped or planned, and you are discouraged and disheartened, here's a little tip for you: remember to keep your chin up and keep walking, one foot ahead of the other.

posted by: billiesucher

72 Recession-Proof Industries

Of the 1,012 industries tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 72 grew faster than the available workforce during the recessions of 1990 and 2001, and in 2007. These 72 industries are the most likely to be recession-proof in the future.

The table below shows the 12-month growth for each industry, plus the next-higher levels of their industry structure to put them in context.

Industry 1990 2001 2007 Natural resources and mining Construction Specialty trade contractors Building finishing contractors 1 Other residential trade contractors 4% 4% 7% Manufacturing Durable goods Machinery Turbine and power transmission equipment 2 Turbine and turbine generator set units 6% 12% 2% Nondurable goods