This past week I recorded a teleseminar to talk about 5 key points you should be consciously aware of that are misspoken quite often in the media right now.  If you’d like to hear this in audio format, you can listen here or read the article below.

Finding a job, doing well on the job, and moving into a better job are all part of “career management 101″ and they require continuous learning about the world of work, as well as an acute awareness of your own specific skills –especially during what we keep hearing is a jobless economic recovery.

Here are 5 jewels of information you need to know to manage your career in today’s work place:

1. If you are currently stuck in a job, transitioning, trying to get ahead, you will likely be in this position again one day – yes, in spite of the fact that we still have some companies asking about your loyalty.  The situation we have all been experiencing in today’s economy will likely change the entire course and character of our work structure for this and the next generations.I’m not going to spend a lot of time talking about depressing statistics.  I did read recently, however, that temp jobs increased by 21% between Oct 2009 and around May/June 2010. This could be a sign that as companies laid off workers, they made decisions to hire more temporary workers to control health care benefits costs, and flexibility of movement.  We are no longer in an age of permanent hiring, in case you have not seen the writing on the wall.  Combine this with the fast paced change of technology and you will understand the need to constantly revisit what skills are necessary and what jobs may need to be warped into something entirely different.

How have you kept up with your career skills?  Would you be ready tomorrow to interview?  If I asked you to email me a resume right now, would you be able to send me what I need, not just a standard, one size fits all documetn? Recently, I talked with a colleague who was preparing for an interview – we’ll call him Bill.  Bill was preparing for an interview for a next level position.  He had not interviewed in several years, but thought because his technical skills & track record at work were solid, that would be enough.  It wasn’t.  He did not take my advice and get current interview trends, nor did he update his inside resume to reflect all the things he thought they’d already know.  Keeping current on practical trends in interviewing and resume formatting could be a valuable hip-pocket tool for you.

They also suggest that workers are not skilled to meet the needs hiring managers have, and even that some of the more mid-skilled, mid-wage jobs are not appearing as desirable.  If you are someone who has competed for a job within the last 6 months and you knew you had the right skills but you weren’t picked because you couldn’t articulate them , this means perhaps it is time you took a solid assessment of your current personal brand (how you are perceived), your top strengths, your passion, and your ability to think like a leader – how well are you marketing what it is you can actually do?  Have you formalized your personal branding statement to clearly communicate your value as a worker and a professional?

2.  We keep hearing there are no jobs?  I have heard something different – there are jobs out there.  An article in this week’s Wall Street Journal Online talks about the fact that many employers are having trouble filling positions despite the high unemployment rate.  They reference that one challenge is that it’s tougher for qualified workers to actually move where the jobs are, knowing that their home may not sell or that their spouse may not find employment in the new location.

But they also suggest that workers are not skilled to meet the needs the hiring managers have, and finally – some of the more mid-skilled, mid-wage jobs are not appearing as desirable.  If you are someone who has competed for a job within the last 6 months and you knew you had the right skills but you weren’t picked because you couldn’t articulate them , this means you may need to sit down and take a solid assessment of your current personal brand (how you are perceived), your top strengths, your passion, and your ability to think like a leader – how well are you marketing what it is you can actually do?

3.  In spite of what you’ve heard – I’ve even misspoken this myself – the old “who you know gets you hired” still holds true. Now you’ve heard lately it’s more important now “who knows you”,  especially with the advent of social media and online networking but be very clear – who you know can determine what calls you can make when you need champion to influence a hiring or advancement decision.  How many of you are highly qualified, professional workers – great at what you do, top performers in your role, yet you keep being overlooked for the promotion or for the career selection?  What does your circle of influence look like?  How often have you reached out to build new relationships? How do you know when to weed out negative influencers in your circle?

4.  You can create wealth while working for someone else…just not relying on that company’s $$. You have heard about people starting businesses for themselves and I have to admit, I don’t buy into the theory that everyone is born with an inner entrepreneurial mind.  I believe some people require good ole’ fashioned training and help.  With the right tools, resources, mentors, and drive, you might either start a side business, learn to generate income through affiliate marketing, or create multiple passive income streams for yourself.  Ultimately, one of the keys to building wealth is creating passive income strategies and positioning yourself the right way to create financial independence.

5.  They are just as afraid as you are of the competitive state of the workforce. Employers are scrambling      around right now trying to figure out who will take the place of some of their tip-top seats.  It’s called succession management.  Have you heard the word retention thrown around in your workplace? That’s because there is a struggle to keep top performers who are still employed in their current seats.  I read an article July 2010 by Talent Management magazine that said out of 3000 individuals surveyed, 52% employees reported they were approached by other employers with a possible job offer within the past 12 months.  Employers are competing against each other for the top performers.  What was the highest factor in helping to attract & retain good performers?  “(their) research clearly shows that (career) development pays in terms of engagement and retention — both for the individual and the organization”.

Career development is key to creating an opportunity for you to survive and prosper in the work economy today. Consider ways you can enhance your skills to better manage the direction your career is heading now and into the future.

Don’t miss tremendous career management and leadership development training resources at  the upcoming Women of Color Career Success Telesummit 2010 http://womenofcolorcareersuccess.com.  This is a 3.5 day telesummit with speakers who are top notch experts in career & business presenting critical career success strategies to you, answering questions, providing resources that will help you position yourself as the ultimate career professional in whatever field you want.  Seats are limited.  Get in now!

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