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Yes and GO – Positive Attitude and Direction

By on June 6, 2013 in Career Success Tips

YES and GO

Background:  My life has been `framed’ by two simple and challenging words of attitude and action – YES and GO.  During high school, I helped start a Youth Employment Service, and annually, we found part-time employment for over 500 (and also met the needs of my Midwestern neighbors for yard work, babysitting, cleaning and other services).  Community residents poured their milk from cartons and heard various radio ads with a message promoting YES services.  Today, I serve you by providing documents for your job search as well as career, employment and interview coaching services under the banner – GO for the job.

How do we use these two powerful and positive words  in our conversations, lives, workspace, and job search?  Following are some reflective thoughts:

Yes is “used to express agreement, consent, affirmation or confirmation”.

Is the glass half full or half empty?  This idiom is used to explain how people perceive events and objects.  Frequently, we approach conversations, challenges, and choices with different perceptions and then reactions.  Some of us suspend belief, come with questions and raise objections and concerns … reflecting our personality.  Some of us approach with wonder, hope for the very best, and believe until proven wrong.  Then, we often use unconscious, non-verbal language to signal our reaction and answer.  Yes reflects a positive attitude – positivity.

Do you express  a `yes attitude’?  frequently?  How do you express it?  How effectively do you express it when networking and interviewing?

Go is “an indication of motion with or without reference to a destination or point of departure”.

Where are you and where are you going?  Have you done your preparation and planning?  Are you taking aim … getting set?  Are you taking action?  What actions are you taking?

What is your career direction?  What jobs(s) are you seeking?

Yes, you should know and understand your strengths, success attributes, competence, and capability as well as their benefits.  Go share them!  You also know that networking is the best way of finding that next position/job.  Go meet folks, ask for their assistance and ideas asking:  Who else?  What else?  and, how else?  Most importantly – offer to help!

Yes, you understand that everyone has some `hurdle’ to overcome.  Go and overcome yours by focusing on your strengths!  We are naturally born to be free, interdependent, contribute, and pursue happiness.  Go and enjoy the journey with preparation, persistence, and positivity!

 

 

Jobs 102 – Statistics and Tips

By on May 14, 2013 in Job Search

Employment Statistics and Job Search Tips

Continuing with a look at the employment and job evolution with some statistics and advice …

The US Department of Labor provides volumes of statistical analysis and forecasting.

They have published and updated a 10-year forecast from 2006-2016; they note that employment opportunities are largely influenced by population trends (demographics) and by technology, automation, changes in business practices, customer demand, etc.  A few key projections:

* Total employment increases (from 2006 to 2016) to 166.2 million (a 10 percent increase)

* The long-term shift from goods producing to service providing jobs is expected to continue

* Education and Health Services – the `super sector’ is projected to grow by 18.8%

* Goods-producing industries will see an employment decline of 3.3%

* Job openings stem from both employment growth and replacement needs which will account for 68% of the approximately 50 million job openings during this 10-year period

* Aging baby boomers – workers 55 and older are projected to leap from 16% to 22% of the workforce

Reviewing the USDL Occupational Outlook (you can easily find this on the web) will undoubtedly give you some specific information and ideas pertinent to your occupation/job field and your career/job plans.

 

Published Unemployment statistics:

End of August, 2009:          US – 9.7          FL – 10.7

December 2012:                   US – 7.8          FL – 7.6

March 2013                           US – 7.5           FL – 7.6

Looking at these frequently revised statistics (which are really estimates) differently – employment in the US is at 92.5%.  So-called `full employment’ is viewed at ~95%.

Another key statistic is the `labor force participation rate’.  It continues to be near historic lows at 63.4% (reported for May).

 

Do you need some ideas for your job search?  Here are Twelve Go for the Job Tips to assist your job search.  They are key points summarized in prior editions of GoingfortheJob as well as some wisdom from career experts and clients who have secured new positions.

1)  Powerful P’s:  preparation, positivity and persistence are indispensible; pursue your potential

2)  Know yourself – your Success Profile is the key to describing, interviewing and marketing you

3)  Where are the Jobs?  networking is essential; use your references and expand your contacts

4)  Cover Letters – this is your `introduction’; first Impressions in writing and in person are critical

5)  Business Card – this is an introduction and networking tool; make it a positive impression

6)  Heel & Toe – this is taking action and meeting people (too much PC time is not helpful)

7)  Take Five Daily Actions – commit to plans; write them down, do them, and check them off

8)  Follow-up – this is about persistence as well as a demonstration of interest and courtesy

9)  Continue learning (sharpen the saw) – be informed, inquisitive and interested/interesting

10)  Ask questions? – networking and interviewing are not interrogations; make them dialogues

11)  Practice – use your mirror and work with your friends and family to make improvements

12)  Be proactive – take responsibility; procrastination, the alternative does not work

 

You will get more information and advice about each of these, when you contact me.