Job Trends – Making Yourself More Marketable in a Tough Economy
Career Expert Antonio Vianna
It is estimated that the majority of Americans know someone whose job has been affected by a tough economy, either a job loss or a job change. How we anticipate and respond to these types of unexpected and expected changes is often based on our feelings about the change. For some, the job change or loss is negative because there is no longer a primary source of income; perhaps there has been a change in the hours worked so your routine is upset; perhaps you have a new boss or new co-workers, or a new work location, or even new technology, all of which requires you to learn something new, to change the way you used to do things. However, the positive aspect of a job change could be a promotion, an opportunity to learn something new from others or from new technology, a chance to be with people whom you have not worked with before, and therefore, an exciting time.
Changing world and economic conditions, career changes, and changes in life’s conditions will continue to be a part of the American life for the next decade, at least. So, it is best to prepare for this inevitability by taking advantage of these changes. Resisting inevitable change results in more harm than good. Most Americans identify themselves with their job/career, so a job/career loss is very personal. And further, we go through the same stages of dealing with a job/career loss as we would with a loss of a loved one:
A. ignore (It is not happening to me)
B. shock (I don’t know what to do)
C. anger (I’m angry as hell)
D. acknowledge (Here is what I’m going to do)
Only when we acknowledge a job/career change/loss can be effectively and efficiently move on. Don’t keep it a secret – tell others – ask for help – admit you don’t know everything – be prepared to change.
Great career opportunities exist in a good economy as well as in a bad economy. They always have and always will. What each of us must understand is how the world environment is changing the way work is done. For example, with a heightened sensitivity on the environment, “green jobs” are being created and companies are labeling themselves “green companies.” For example, this means a career, such as a Tourism Specialist, might now be identified as an Eco-Tourism Specialist because the additional responsibilities are to ensure that the work is performed without harming the environment. New job demands of the Eco-Tourism Specialist might mean to ensure that all vehicles transporting tourists from point “A” to point “B” must be fuel efficient, that the places where the tourists are lodged and fed must be energy efficient, or that the bags used to carry items must be biodegradable. The point is that the changes in the environment has caused a change in the way the job is performed.
Sensitivity to the changing world conditions also means being aware of what jobs to avoid, because in the long run they are not sustainable. Examples could include jobs that are more likely to be outsourced, more likely to be combined with another job, more likely to be computerized, and least likely to add economic value to the organization.
Employees as well as employers can help during these tough times. For example, employers could engage the employees in a discussion for ideas if there is a consideration of a downsizing. Some approaches include but are not limited to reduction of work hours, job sharing, job loaning, use of unpaid vacations and sabbaticals, creating a job faire, training employees for another job, creating resume books of those who are affected and share that information with other employers. The list is almost endless. The employees too can offer ideas as well. In addition to those mentioned above, the employee might decide to return to school for further education/skill training, and most certainly take this opportunity to really understand their Interests, Competencies, Motivation, Capabilities, and Best Working Environment. Two keys are worth mentioning. One, draw from your past but do not let the past draw on you, and two, find ways to add value to an organization either by increasing revenue or by decreasing costs.
There are many places that employees can look for help in finding their next career job. Here are some places:
A. Former companies
B. Former employees (all)
C. Companies’ suppliers and customers
D. City Chamber of Commerce
E. Employment Agencies
F. Executive Search Firms
G. Outplacement Firms
H. Metro Career Centers
I. Friends and Neighbors
J. Employment Development Department
K. Company Websites
L. Industry Websites
M. City Websites
N. Job/Career Websites
O. Newspapers
P. Industry/Professional Journals
Q. Professional Associations
R. College Placement Centers
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In: Job Search Advice · Tagged with: Anger, Career Change, Career Changes, Career Expert, Career Job, Career Opportunities, Changes In Life, Co Workers, Economic Conditions, Feelings, Inevitability, Inevitable Change, Job Career, Job Search Advice, Loss Of A Loved One, New Boss, New Technology, Primary Source, Shock, Vianna, Work Location
on 03/31/2010 at 2:52 am
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