You are here: Home / Archives for November 2008

New Jobs and the Hottest Job Markets

Posted by on November 20, 2008 · 6 Comments 

It’s time to ditch all the negative media going on right now, and focus on the positive news. 
There are thousands of new jobs opening up every week, people getting hired and promoted, and companies getting stronger and thriving. 

But it’s easy to miss all of this because all the media is focusing on what’s going wrong – instead of what’s going right.

If you’re looking to make a career change (or just need to hear some good news!) then below is a list of 7 facts to help you stay motivated and on track for getting into your new career.   

  • TheLadders.com reported that in the past ten (10) days, 70 new companies have signed up to post job openings.  Plus(!) 1,400 new jobs have been posted in the past two weeks by the following four (4) companies:  JP Morgan Chase & Company, Microsoft, Price Waterhouse Coopers, and Affiliated Computer Services.  They also reported this week that a hot job market right now is digital jobs in the interactive sector.
  • The Business Journal reported that the hottest cities with thriving job markets include Houston, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth.  These three cities have added a total of 107,200 private sector jobs since mid-2007, while keeping their unemployment rates below 5-percent.
  • Additionally, Raleigh’s job base ballooned by 22.1 percent since 2003, and Seattle has added 20,500 private-sector jobs since mid-2007.  Other cities with growing job markets include Durham, North Carolina, Oklahoma City, Charlotte, and San Antonio.
  • The US Labor report stated that 26,000 new jobs were added during the month of October.  Additionally, the Sacramento Business Journal reported that the US Technology industry added 78,300 jobs during the first seven months of 2008.  Within tech services, the most significant growth occurred in engineering and tech services, which added 50,000 jobs, and software services added another 42,300 jobs.
  • Forbes recently reported America’s Top 20 growing jobs which include Aircraft Structure and Systems Assemblers, ($44,180 mean salary), project managers ($66,240 mean salary), producers and directors ($77,070 mean salary), locomotive engineers ($63,180 mean salary), multi-media artists and animators ($61,010 mean salary), medical scientists ($74,160 mean salary), service industry sales reps ($57,480 mean salary)
  • CareerBuilder.com published the hottest jobs and what they pay which include Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts ($46,360 or more), Computer Software Engineers ($46,360 or more), veterinarians ($46,360 or more), Physician Assistants ($46,360 or more), and Forensic Science Technicians ($30,630 – $46,300).
  • Money Magazine reported in this month’s issue that they predict the average pay raise in 2009 will be 3.3-percent, but the average pay raise for a high performer will be 5.6-percent! The recent US Labor Statistics report shows a 6.5-percent unemployment rate which includes unemployed teenagers (20%), and those without any kind of college degree of advanced education.  The other side of the coin shows that 93.5-percent of US workers are employed!

Want a few more facts?  The unemployment rate in the 1932 depression was 23.1-percent (vs. today’s 6.5-percent.)  The gross domestic product in 1932 was13 (vs. today’s 1.6), and consumer spending was -8.9 (vs. today’s 0.5).

If you’re seriously looking to make a career change, then understand one simple fact.  Great companies are ALWAYS looking to hire great contributors. And this especially holds true TODAY.  More than ever, great companies are seeking out results oriented, high valued contributors to help grow and strengthen their organizations.

Stay focused on your job search strategy, stay focused on your goal, and stop reading and listening to all that negative news swirling around you.

Have confidence in knowing that your new career is out there waiting for you – you just need to go get it! 

Sherri Thomas is President of Career Coaching 360, an international speaker, and author of “Career Smart – 5 Steps to a Powerful Personal Brand.” Career Coaching 360 (http://www.CareerCoaching360.com)
provides career planning, management coaching, and leadership
development support to help professionals change careers quickly and
easily.

Filed under career change, change jobs · Tagged with

Preparing Your "Emergency Career Toolkit" – the secret to rebounding quickly!

Posted by on November 14, 2008 · 10 Comments 

There are times in everyone’s career when a setback occurs.  From a department-wide layoff, to a demotion, to getting fired – it happens to the best of them.  Those professionals and executives who anticipate and prepare for change are known to rebound quicker, and get their career back on track faster!

So, in today’s increasingly volatile economy, it’s more important than ever to recognize that a change could happen to YOU(!) and do everything you can to prepare for it.

Just like with any emergency situation it’s critical to have a plan, an exit strategy, and a toolkit with all the essentials to help you navigate the storm.  So to help you bounce back quickly from a career setback, here are five essentials you must have in your “career emergency toolkit”.
 

  1. A professionally critiqued resume.  Think your resume is good enough?  Think again.  The unemployment pool is getting bigger and your resume must be in the top 2-percent to get noticed.

Imagine that a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity comes up and you have one shot to get your resume in front of the hiring manager.  Will your resume help you, or hurt you?  Invest in a professional resume critique.

  • An “Interview Prep Kit” including a polished portfolio, briefcase and power suit.  Make sure you’re prepared for an interview, by having a hefty sample of your best work available including reports, strategic plans, proposals, campaigns or presentations that you created.  This helps validate your successes and what you can do for the next company that hires you.Also, make sure you have a smart looking briefcase, power suit, and matching shoes so that you make a great impression when you walk into a room.  You’ll need these for business networking events, as well as interviews.

  • List of high powered references.  Start identifying those who could give you a strong professional recommendation.  Go after those managers and executives with the highest title, biggest influence, and work for the most prestigious companies. If you’ve lost touch with someone on your list, start searching them out now. Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn.com makes it easy to find past colleagues.  Also, consider who you WANT on your list and start looking for opportunities to get connected.
  • A Deep and Wide Professional Network.  Don’t wait to start networking – do it now. Send your contacts links to reports, case studies, press releases and websites that you think may interest them.  Invite them to business networking events, and introduce them to other movers and shakers.  Career influencers (those who could hire you, or introduce you to others who could potentially hire you) are drawn to those who are resourceful and well connected.Make sure you have updated contact information including e-mail address and phone numbers.
  • Your Plan “B”.  What kind of work could you do to generate income if you lost your job right now?  Could you freelance or start consulting?  Would you prefer to work part-time while getting some specialized training or advanced education to help you come back better and stronger?Your Plan B is a back-up plan that should include a career strategy, as well as a finance plan with monthly costs you’re prepared to cut immediately if the worst should happen.

    • As one of the Presidential candidates recently said, “Hope is not a strategy.”  This is especially true with regards to your career.  The key is to always be prepared for the worst – always.  By having the right tools and plans in your Career Emergency Toolkit, you’ll be better equipped to manage through any career setback, as well as come back faster and stronger! 

    Sherri Thomas is President of Career Coaching 360, an international speaker, and author of “Career Smart – 5 Steps to a Powerful Personal Brand.” Career Coaching 360 (http://www.CareerCoaching360.com) provides career planning, management coaching, and leadership development support to help professionals change careers quickly and easily.

    Filed under career change, career coaching, layoff · Tagged with