- Data Miner. Collectors of data from the Internet for marketing purposes. (Mean annual salary: $70,000; top 10% make over $100k).
- Environmental Engineer. People who can create clean, low-impact vehicles, buildings, and products. Salary: approximately $74,000.
- Accent Reduction Specialists. Being able to communicate clearly with people from other cultures is critical. Trainers work with executives, customer-relations specialists, and others to eliminate accents to improve communication capabilities. Salary: about $64,000.
- Auto Mechanic. Drivers are keeping their current vehicles longer, instead of buying new cars. And a whole generation of mechanics is reaching retirement age. Average salary: A little over $36,0000.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Tomorrow's Careers
Want to know what jobs might be most in demand in the future? Yahoo's HotJobs website targets some jobs that might be major options for future job seekers:
Monday, August 10, 2009
How to Find a Job in 28 Days or Less
On my OmahaJobHelp website, I note this statistic:
If you're unemployed, every day you are out of work means lost income ... lost retirement benefits ... lost vacation time. If you make $45,000 a year, you're losing $180 a day in salary alone.
Most job seekers don't have a specific plan for how they're going to find their next job. Instead, they sit down in front of their computer and start searching the job openings they find advertised online. Monster. Careerlink. Careerbuilder.
They apply for the jobs they see. Sometimes even dozens of them at a time. They may look in the Omaha World-Herald's classified section for jobs.
Then they wait. And wait. And wait. Waiting for the employers to call them and offer them the job. Or they worry -- because they don't see any "good" jobs out there ... at least not as good as the job they used to have. They begin to wonder if they'll ever find another job. And the more discouraged they get, the harder it is to want to look for a new job. They wonder why companies won't even send them a letter or an e-mail that they weren't selected for the position. (It's because companies are inundated with applications, since it's so easy to apply for a job online.) They think that "no one is hiring" because they can't find a job like the one they used to have. Or they mistakenly believe they are "overqualified."
What they don't know is that they will be more successful in finding their next job if they treat their job search as a project with defined objectives, an action plan, and a timeline. It's also critical that they get out from behind their computer and reconnect with PEOPLE ... people who can give them a job, people who can introduce them to the people who are hiring, and people who know where the jobs are!
Succeeding in your job search is based on three simple factors:
- Identifying and articulating a clear idea of what you want;
- Cultivating and nurturing a strong, active network; and
- Developing an action plan -- and then executing it!
The Get Hired Now! program, based on the book by C.J. Hayden and Frank Traditi, guides job seekers through all three steps of this process, giving you a roadmap to finding your next job fast!
Here's a free report: How to Find a Job in 28 Days or Less.
It will tell you more about how the Get Hired Now! program can help you find your next job faster!
I'm going to be offering the next session of my five-week Get Hired Now! program, beginning Aug. 19. We'll meet for five Wednesdays (3 hours the first night for the program introduction and development of your customized Job Search Action Plan, and then the following four weeks for one hour each night for follow-up coaching and accountability sessions).
The cost is just $199, and it includes a copy of the Get Hired Now! book. (Click on the link to read a sample chapter). The program will be held at The Center for Counseling and Psychotherapy, 8021 Chicago Street (just off of 84th and Dodge Street in Omaha).
Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The workshop fee is due with pre-registration or on the first night (advance registration is required, since the program is limited to 8 participants per session). Payment can be made by check, cash, Mastercard, or Visa, and the program cost may be tax deductible as a job search expense if you itemize on your taxes.
I'm just finishing up a program session, and am thrilled with the results the participants have achieved so far! Two of the participants are currently unemployed and are getting interviews, and another is looking for a job for the first time in 20 years after being self-employed and has arranged a series of informational interviews to find out more about her desired career change. They've identified their strengths and targeted their "ideal jobs," they've expanded their personal networks, and they're well on their way to getting hired.
* Get Hired Now! is a trademark of Wings for Business LLC and is used under license.
Monday, July 27, 2009
"I'm Not Getting Job Interviews Because I'm Overqualified"
A recent article on WorkBuzz (the CareerBuilder) blog, caught my attention ... as did the comments of dozens of job searchers on the Facebook status referring to the article.
My comments for these job seekers:
The first thing to remember is that you are probably not OVERQUALIFIED for a position ... you're just not a good "FIT." Employers know the level of the position that they've got available, and from experience, they know that someone who was making $50,000 before is not going to be happy making $8/hour (equivalent of $16,000/year). So even if you would TAKE that job (just to have one), you're not overqualified ... they just know that they're going to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to train you ... only for you to find out that you're bored -- or, worse, you'll leave when a better job opens up.
If you TRULY want to make a career change, or "step down," then you have to demonstrate your commitment to that new level of work. The idea to volunteer for an organization is a great one. Ask if you can "job shadow" someone doing the work you want to do, to make sure it's a good fit, before you apply for the job.
The other big mistake I see job seekers making is that they apply for hundreds of jobs ... don't follow up on any of them ... and wonder why they don't get interviews. If you are one of even a dozen people applying for a job, stand out from the crowd by trying to make a PERSONAL connection with the organization -- and, in particular, someone at the company. If you want to work in retail, shop the store. Get to know the manager. Identify ways you could help make the store make more money, keep their customers, get new customers ... and then share those ideas with the manager. If you want to work at a place that isn't "retail," then "shop" the company by researching them thoroughly -- read their website, Google them, talk to their customers, talk to their competitors.
Networking is important. If you're new to an area, it's actually easier, in my opinion. Say, "Hi, I'm new to the area, and I was wondering who to talk to about a job in (x)." Go to neighborhood association meetings and introduce yourself to everyone there. Call the local chapter of your professional association and introduce yourself to the Membership Chair. Ask for his or her help making contacts in the area (NOT for help in GETTING A JOB ... just MEETING NEW PEOPLE).
Employment agencies are struggling. Their clients -- employers -- don't have as *many* jobs to fill, so they are filling square holes with square pegs. There are simply too many good people out of work nowaways (like a lot of you guys on here), so you need to set yourself apart. > SMALL companies are the ones doing the hiring nowadays, and they're not advertising in the Classifieds or posting the jobs on CareerBuilder (most likely). Instead, look on CareerBuilder -- or USE YOUR NETWORK to find these companies.
You need to be absolutely clear about the value you offer to companies. What makes YOU unique? The answer MIGHT absolutely be your depth of experience. You need to identify what sets you apart from other job seekers.
Do something different. If you've been out of work for a while, you're probably in a rut ... and depressed/demoralized. Now is the time to take a fresh approach. Have a professional resume writer take a look at your resume and cover letter to identify possible pitfalls that might be keeping you from getting interviews. Start -- or join -- a job search group or club. Take a class in job search techniques.
My comments for these job seekers:
The first thing to remember is that you are probably not OVERQUALIFIED for a position ... you're just not a good "FIT." Employers know the level of the position that they've got available, and from experience, they know that someone who was making $50,000 before is not going to be happy making $8/hour (equivalent of $16,000/year). So even if you would TAKE that job (just to have one), you're not overqualified ... they just know that they're going to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to train you ... only for you to find out that you're bored -- or, worse, you'll leave when a better job opens up.
If you TRULY want to make a career change, or "step down," then you have to demonstrate your commitment to that new level of work. The idea to volunteer for an organization is a great one. Ask if you can "job shadow" someone doing the work you want to do, to make sure it's a good fit, before you apply for the job.
The other big mistake I see job seekers making is that they apply for hundreds of jobs ... don't follow up on any of them ... and wonder why they don't get interviews. If you are one of even a dozen people applying for a job, stand out from the crowd by trying to make a PERSONAL connection with the organization -- and, in particular, someone at the company. If you want to work in retail, shop the store. Get to know the manager. Identify ways you could help make the store make more money, keep their customers, get new customers ... and then share those ideas with the manager. If you want to work at a place that isn't "retail," then "shop" the company by researching them thoroughly -- read their website, Google them, talk to their customers, talk to their competitors.
Networking is important. If you're new to an area, it's actually easier, in my opinion. Say, "Hi, I'm new to the area, and I was wondering who to talk to about a job in (x)." Go to neighborhood association meetings and introduce yourself to everyone there. Call the local chapter of your professional association and introduce yourself to the Membership Chair. Ask for his or her help making contacts in the area (NOT for help in GETTING A JOB ... just MEETING NEW PEOPLE).
Employment agencies are struggling. Their clients -- employers -- don't have as *many* jobs to fill, so they are filling square holes with square pegs. There are simply too many good people out of work nowaways (like a lot of you guys on here), so you need to set yourself apart. > SMALL companies are the ones doing the hiring nowadays, and they're not advertising in the Classifieds or posting the jobs on CareerBuilder (most likely). Instead, look on CareerBuilder -- or USE YOUR NETWORK to find these companies.
You need to be absolutely clear about the value you offer to companies. What makes YOU unique? The answer MIGHT absolutely be your depth of experience. You need to identify what sets you apart from other job seekers.
Do something different. If you've been out of work for a while, you're probably in a rut ... and depressed/demoralized. Now is the time to take a fresh approach. Have a professional resume writer take a look at your resume and cover letter to identify possible pitfalls that might be keeping you from getting interviews. Start -- or join -- a job search group or club. Take a class in job search techniques.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
"Ask the Experts" -- One (WO)Man's Opinion!
I sat in on a couple of sessions today on EmploymentChatLive, sponsored by WOWT.
What I soon realized is that -- although there are a lot of people out there who profess to be "experts" when it comes to finding jobs, some of the advice out there isn't just unhelpful ... some of it is just plain wrong -- and can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars while you try these "methods" that just don't work.
One "expert" advised posting your resume online everywhere and "refreshing" it daily. That was his main point of emphasis for the job search. If you spend the majority of your job search doing this, you'll be out of work for a long time.
I was getting discouraged, but the "experts" in the 3 o'clock hour chats were much better. (Although the Workforce Development folks seemed to be pretty consistently on target with their advice -- and their specialists were participating in multiple chats.) I also found Jeri Schaben, the career specialist who participated in the "Resumes That Work" chat, to be very knowledgeable -- and I'm not just saying that because she complimented my ideas. *smile*
I compiled a list of the questions asked and will be answering them on this blog over the next few weeks, so check back often!
Monday, February 9, 2009
You Only Need One Job
Applying online for dozens of jobs is easy. It's also not very effective. You only need one company to hire you. The more targeted you can be in identifying what kind of job you want and what kind of company you want to work for, the faster you will find a new job and the greater the likelihood you will get the job you want.
It may only take 1 application and 1 interview to get the job -- but most job seekers find it takes 20-30 applications to yield 3-4 interviews. That may generate 1 or 2 job offers.
To maximize your efforts:
- Decide what kind of job you want. That may be easy if you've got 15 years of experience as a Plastics Engineer; harder if you just graduated with a liberal arts degree.
- Identify what kind of company you'd like to work for. Big or small? Public, private, or family-owned? Located where? What do they do/buy/sell?
- Think about your personal preferences. Do you like working alone or with a team? Few meetings or lots of meetings? Travel? Short-term projects or long-term?
- Research the companies. Look at their website. Google them. Read their news releases. Research their competitors and the industry. What are their key issues? How can you help them solve those problems?
- Don't worry if you don't see a job advertised that fits your specifications/interests. While it's true that only 2% of jobs are filled from "unadvertised resumes," the majority of these are "bulk-mailed" resumes either without cover letters, or with "generic" cover letters. Highly targeted cover letters, sent to likely employers (even with no advertised openings) DO yield results.
- Draft a cover letter that "speaks" to the prospective employer. Demonstrate an understanding of their needs, your skills/qualifications, and -- most importantly -- how the two can be combined.
If you are interested in medical product sales, but are a nurse, talk about how your medical knowledge and ability to build rapport with physicians will enable you to quickly grasp complex product and disease information, leading to more effective sales presentations, and increased product sampling/adoption.
If you are seeking a new teaching position, don't just talk about lesson plans and class sizes -- talk about your teaching methodology and how it relates to the student population you'd be working with.
Remember: You don't have to be all things to all people; if you know what you have to offer, and target the employers who need what you deliver, it may only take applying to one company before you have the job you want!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
What To Do If You Think You're Going To Be Laid Off
Layoffs just keep coming. Sprint announced plans to let 8,000 workers go. Home Depot is firing 7,000 employees. Caterpillar announced they will lay off 20,000 people this year. Here in Omaha, First National Bank announced they are furloughing 350 employees.
In December 2008, the national unemployment rate rose from 6.8 to 7.2 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Unemployment hit 4 percent in Nebraska, with more than 39,000 Nebraskans estimated to be out of work in December.
If your job is next on the chopping block — or if you’re afraid it is — there are some steps you can take now that will help you find your next job faster.
• First, update your résumé. Do it now, while you still have access to internal data to quantify your accomplishments. Make sure you have hard copies of your performance reports and letters (or e-mails!) of appreciation from customers and colleagues.
You will want to start circulating your résumé right away as soon as you learn of layoffs (or even rumors of a downsizing). Have your résumé ready to go when that happens.
• Alert your network. Start assembling your network of contacts now so that when the ax falls, you can get the word out quickly. The first 30 days of unemployment are the most critical.
Don’t have a contact database yet? Start with your Christmas card list. Collect snail mail addresses, home/work/cell numbers, and e-mail addresses. Now is also the time to establish your social network online — sites like Facebook and LinkedIn will let you keep connected with personal and professional contacts.
While you’re at it, join a professional association or two — and get involved. You’ll learn about changes in your industry that may impact your company … and your job. You’ll also make valuable contacts in your field that may lead you to your next position.
• Improve your skills. You’ll be more valuable to your current employer — and more marketable to your future boss —if you update your skills. Enroll in a class; learn a new language; pursue a certification. Continuing education in your field can also expand your network.
• Start researching your next job. Prepare a plan of action that you can implement immediately. Identify companies you’d like to work for — even if they’re not actively advertising openings. Read trade publications, local business journals, and follow the Business section of the newspaper to identify companies that are growing and may need someone with your skills and experience.
“Don’t wait to see what will happen with your job — take action,” says Bridget Brooks, a Certified Professional Résumé Writer with Image Building Communications. “If you are laid off, you’ll be better prepared to start your job search immediately.”
— Bridget Brooks is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer and “Get Hired Now!™” Facilitator. In February, she will co-lead a four-week Employment Transitions group for unemployed professionals along with therapist Marla Cohen, MS, PLMHP. Bridget can be reached at (402) 393-4600 or via e-mail at OmahaJobHelp@yahoo.com.
In December 2008, the national unemployment rate rose from 6.8 to 7.2 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Unemployment hit 4 percent in Nebraska, with more than 39,000 Nebraskans estimated to be out of work in December.
If your job is next on the chopping block — or if you’re afraid it is — there are some steps you can take now that will help you find your next job faster.
• First, update your résumé. Do it now, while you still have access to internal data to quantify your accomplishments. Make sure you have hard copies of your performance reports and letters (or e-mails!) of appreciation from customers and colleagues.
You will want to start circulating your résumé right away as soon as you learn of layoffs (or even rumors of a downsizing). Have your résumé ready to go when that happens.
• Alert your network. Start assembling your network of contacts now so that when the ax falls, you can get the word out quickly. The first 30 days of unemployment are the most critical.
Don’t have a contact database yet? Start with your Christmas card list. Collect snail mail addresses, home/work/cell numbers, and e-mail addresses. Now is also the time to establish your social network online — sites like Facebook and LinkedIn will let you keep connected with personal and professional contacts.
While you’re at it, join a professional association or two — and get involved. You’ll learn about changes in your industry that may impact your company … and your job. You’ll also make valuable contacts in your field that may lead you to your next position.
• Improve your skills. You’ll be more valuable to your current employer — and more marketable to your future boss —if you update your skills. Enroll in a class; learn a new language; pursue a certification. Continuing education in your field can also expand your network.
• Start researching your next job. Prepare a plan of action that you can implement immediately. Identify companies you’d like to work for — even if they’re not actively advertising openings. Read trade publications, local business journals, and follow the Business section of the newspaper to identify companies that are growing and may need someone with your skills and experience.
“Don’t wait to see what will happen with your job — take action,” says Bridget Brooks, a Certified Professional Résumé Writer with Image Building Communications. “If you are laid off, you’ll be better prepared to start your job search immediately.”
— Bridget Brooks is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer and “Get Hired Now!™” Facilitator. In February, she will co-lead a four-week Employment Transitions group for unemployed professionals along with therapist Marla Cohen, MS, PLMHP. Bridget can be reached at (402) 393-4600 or via e-mail at OmahaJobHelp@yahoo.com.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Stand Out From the Crowd!
As reported in the January/February 2009 issue of Inc. magazine, at the end of October 2008, there were 33 people looking for work for every 10 openings in the U.S.
That's THREE people competing for EVERY job you're interested in! How can you stand out from the pack?
1. You must have a great resume. Most initial contacts with a prospective employer come via the resume. If your resume doesn't catch the hiring authority's attention immediately, you won't get a second look.
3. Research the company. Find out more about what they do and what their specific needs are before you apply. Then you can include some of your observations in the cover letter -- and DEFINITELY do in-depth research before going on any interviews!
4. Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up! Call to follow up on any resumes you send (unless it says "no phone calls"). Don't just say, "Did you receive my resume?" Ask if there was any information that they were needing in order to consider you as a candidate. Give your 15-second "commercial" when you call.
"Hi, this is Amanda Lewis. I'm the nurse with more than 10 years of experience in hemodialysis and renal care that sent in my resume for the Staff Nurse-Dialysis position. I wanted to make sure you received my resume, but also see if there was any additional information I could provide to you to outline my qualifications for this position."
If you get a chance to talk to a real life human being, send a thank-you note (either via snail mail or e-mail; it's perfectly appropriate to send the thank you via e-mail and attach another copy of your resume/cover letter with it).
Here's the rest of the information from the Inc. article:
The number of job seekers relative to open positions in the U.S. surged in 2008. At the beginning of 2008, there were only 19 job seekers for every 10 open positions, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data by Heidi Shierholz, an economist at the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.
That's THREE people competing for EVERY job you're interested in! How can you stand out from the pack?
1. You must have a great resume. Most initial contacts with a prospective employer come via the resume. If your resume doesn't catch the hiring authority's attention immediately, you won't get a second look.
- Make sure you have targeted your resume towards the type of position you're seeking. In this competitive hiring environment, employers aren't going to try to figure out how you "fit" their needs ... they want to see it spelled out for them. At a minimum, this is a customized cover letter.
- Quantify your value to the company. If you're not including lots of $$, ##, and %% figures on your resume, you're missing out on a prime opportunity to show how you can make the company money, save them money, save them time, solve a specific problem -- or any one of the Employer Buying Motivators that are the REASON why companies hire employees.
3. Research the company. Find out more about what they do and what their specific needs are before you apply. Then you can include some of your observations in the cover letter -- and DEFINITELY do in-depth research before going on any interviews!
4. Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up! Call to follow up on any resumes you send (unless it says "no phone calls"). Don't just say, "Did you receive my resume?" Ask if there was any information that they were needing in order to consider you as a candidate. Give your 15-second "commercial" when you call.
"Hi, this is Amanda Lewis. I'm the nurse with more than 10 years of experience in hemodialysis and renal care that sent in my resume for the Staff Nurse-Dialysis position. I wanted to make sure you received my resume, but also see if there was any additional information I could provide to you to outline my qualifications for this position."
If you get a chance to talk to a real life human being, send a thank-you note (either via snail mail or e-mail; it's perfectly appropriate to send the thank you via e-mail and attach another copy of your resume/cover letter with it).
Here's the rest of the information from the Inc. article:
The number of job seekers relative to open positions in the U.S. surged in 2008. At the beginning of 2008, there were only 19 job seekers for every 10 open positions, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data by Heidi Shierholz, an economist at the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.
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