Thursday, April 29, 2010

Career & Life 2.0: Your legacy isn’t what is engraved on your tombstone …

What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.
- Pericles

The record of your life – and your final rest isn’t your legacy. It isn’t where you were born or when you passed.

Your legacy is what you left behind for others.


Life is about more than today, and more than yourself. Life and legacy go hand in hand. It’s what others will remember about you – the impact you made, the relationships you have built, what have you have given back to your family, friends, the community, your employer and to those in need.

Think now what will your legacy be and if you are pleased with your direction – great – full steam ahead. If you are not – time to readjust and make a change. Think about what will your great-grandchildren will be told about you? What will those you worked with say about you? What wil your friends remember defined you.

Creating a legacy does not have to be a burden. It can be your joy and your mission in life and career and can create your satisfaction with living each day building your legacy. Think about what you want to leave behind. Start (or continue) building it today. Work hard, because you never know when it will be time to write your legacy.


Dan Moran

President & Founder

Next-Act

Career Management & Transition Specialists

125 Wolf Road, Suite #128

Albany, NY 12205

Office: 518-261-4212

Cell: 518-641-8968

eFax: 586-279-4212

dmoran@next-act.com

Monday, April 26, 2010

Spring has Sprung – So Have Jobs in the Capital Region

I talk to a lot of people – lots of people – from all backgrounds. I still hear the all too familiar comment – “Boy Dan, this job market rots in our area”.

Frankly, I am taken aback somewhat, because there is no truth in that statement at all. None. Nadda. Yes, some sectors are having a hard time recovering and in other parts of the State and nation, the picture is still bleak for jobs.

But here – the market is perking along. We are seeing new job growth (watch the news on WRGB Channel 6 for more on this www.wrgb.com). Employers are not just refilling positions that were part of layoffs before, but they are adding new jobs as well – what we want to see.

I watch these numbers every day. So please do not get caught in the negative spin. The job market is so much better that last year and close to the marks we were seeing before the recession. Keep pushing if you are looking – there is an opportunity out there.

For your information, my latest report on the job market in the region … Thanks.

For Immediate Release

For Information, Dan Moran 518-641-8968

Albany, NY, April 21, 2010

Job Postings Unchanged Past Seven Days – Still Strong

(Albany, NY, April 21, 2010) – Job postings in the Capital Region remained unchanged this past seven days, coming in at just over 6000 which is still very strong for this market and a good sign for job seekers and employers alike.

“The job market is still strong in our area and showing consistency. Over 6000 job postings is a number we haven’t seen on any consistent basis for over 2 and one-half years, evidence that we have climbed out of the recession lows and are seeing real job growth, stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. Moran assists individuals in identifying new careers and also those in the midst of a job search and needing direction. His firm also tracks the job market on a regional and statewide basis.

“Some of the companies I have seen posting positions are new companies or ones that we haven’t seen any activity in some time, which is a good sign”.

Other markets in NYS didn’t fare as well. There were some significant drops in job postings in metro NY, Buffalo and Syracuse, bucking the tread set by the Capital Region. The Capital Region continues to outpace Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse for job postings. “In metro NYC, after a few weeks of drops in job postings, I did see quite a rebound this past seven days”. The Capital Region is the smallest of all these markets as well.

## Background ##

Job postings in the Region are normally in the baseline of 4000 – 4900 on a weekly basis and 7-day rolling average, consistent for this area. Monitoring job postings is a leading indicator of hiring within the following 30-45 days. This methodology is utilized by reading research houses nationally and is employed in the Region by Moran’s firm. For the purpose of reporting, the Region is defined as a 50 mile radius of Albany.


Dan Moran

President & Founder

Next-Act

Career Management & Transition Specialists

125 Wolf Road, Suite #128

Albany, NY 12205

Office: 518-261-4212

Cell: 518-641-8968

eFax: 586-279-4212

dmoran@next-act.com

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Three C’s To Success …

Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.
- Vince Lombardi

I was blessed with the opportunity to serve as a guest panelist for the GenX Council program “Putting on the Shine” this past Tuesday evening at the Hilton Garden Inn in troy, The GenX Council is a joint effort of the Albany and Schenectady chambers and brings together the GenX crowd for networking and professional development. Thanks to both Chambers for inviting me, by the way.

I was struck by a few observations:

  1. I was the only person in the room with grey hair. Of well …
  2. The 65 plus attendees wanted to know not the basic only – but rather a deeper meaning of what is required to achieve career growth and success
The bottom line: It wasn’t more education. It was not just a network (but they do help). Not just joining a group. As I thought about this more and thinking about the side-discussions after the program, I broke it down to the Three “C’s” than can help achieve career & life success, no matter how young or old you are:

Confidence … Commitment … Compassion

Three powerful words:

Confidence – People like to be around confident people. Those who project confidence have people gravitating to them. They inspire. They provide balance. They provide security. To be truly successful in career and life, one must achieve and truly believe in their confidence. Employers look for confidence in job applicants. Managers and executives look for the confident ones on their team to promote and give new opportunities too.

Confidence isn’t “born to you”. It is a state you must achieve on your own, and you must truly believe it. You won’t have to do anything extra to project it – it will just happen. You will be charged by the feeling; those around you will feel the same way and look to you for guidance.

Commitment – Those who demonstrate that they are truly committed to what they are doing – and not simply doing a job --- are the one’s given new challenges and provided opportunities to grow. Think about those around you in your career & life – look at those you feel are committed. See their smile? Others see it too – coworkers, managers, customers, significant others and the list goes on. Without commitment, you just go through the motions and others see it.

Compassion – One point I made on the panel was giving back, being involved in the community and serving as a leader in a community service or not for profit organization as a great way to develop a career brand. In other words – show compassion – for others, a cause or a special situation. Compassion means listening intently, understanding one's needs, reaching out to help, doing good for others. Not only does it build confidence and passion, it projects an image of one who cares, one who can be trusted.

Put the Three “C’s” to work in your life and career. Go where you want to go – be what you want to be.

Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act
Career Management & Transition Specialists
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Job Market Very Strong - Believe it!

The job market in the Capital region is strong -- very strong --- despite what the naysayers say. Job postings are up over 100% from last year's levels at this time of the year, and well above the baseline of 4000 - 4900 that was the "norm" before the economic downturn. The unemployment rate in the region is down for the second month in a row.

So, when someone tries to tell you the market just rots -- don't buy in to the negativity -- "correct" them or just leave them in your dust. I think you will find the press release I issued earlier this week motivating and of course, helpful.

And thank you for reading this ... - Dan

For Immediate Release

For Information, Dan Moran 518-641-8968

Albany, NY, April 14, 2010

Job Postings Up 100% over last year

(Albany, NY, April 14, 2010) – Job postings in the Capital Region have been trending close to or just over 100% higher than the same period last year, demonstrating a good recovery from last year as the area was deeper in the recession and job market turndown.


“Last year at this time we would see 2,700 to maybe 3200 job postings on a week-by-week basis. This year, we are seeing numbers at 5,000 – 6,000 up to just over 7,000 on a weekly basis. The market has return with quite a bit of gusto and it has all happened in the last few months to a degree. In December and January, job postings were just under or at 3,000 – quite lower that the number of job postings we are seeing today. This is good news for job seekers who, as I have been hearing, are seeing more opportunities than before that meet their qualifications, stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. Moran assists individuals in identifying new careers and also those in the midst of a job search and needing direction. His firm also tracks the job market on a regional and statewide basis.


This past week, measured on a seven-day-rolling, there were just over 6,000 job postings, down a bit for the second week likely the effect of the school vacation week and holiday observances. “After being a bit quiet last week, I did see a day-by-day return of growth in job postings over the last few days”, continued Moran. “This is not uncommon at all”.


Top areas for job opportunities: Healthcare (practitioners & support roles), managerial, sales & marketing and information technology.


Other markets in NYS saw similar results with a drop then return on a day-by-day basis. The Capital Region continues to outpace Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse for job postings. “In metro NYC, after a few weeks of drops in job postings, I did see quite a rebound this past seven days”. The Capital Region is the smallest of all these markets as well.


## Background ##


Job postings in the Region are normally in the baseline of 4000 – 4900 on a weekly basis and 7-day rolling average, consistent for this area. Monitoring job postings is a leading indicator of hiring within the following 30-45 days. This methodology is utilized by reading research houses nationally and is employed in the Region by Moran’s firm. For the purpose of reporting, the Region is defined as a 50 mile radius of Albany.


Thursday, April 15, 2010

A Job Doesn’t Have to be Work …

You may have heard before:

If you love what you do, you will never work another day in your life.

It is true and we hear stories about people finding their true passion in life and then excelling. They find what truly motivates them and they go after it . In career terms, they have achieved career leadership.

Unfortunately, the mass majority look at jobs as just work -- a means to a paycheck. They haven't broken out and have yet to define who they are and what they want to accomplish. The results are a significant amount of stress, concern and of course, fear - the one thing that stops people right in their tracks.

Perhaps these steps will be helpful in letting go of the fear and getting connected with your true calling:

1. Give yourself permission to grow (or change, or prosper - whatever) - This is usually the BIG step -- telling yourself it is okay to take a step forward in your life or career. Many stumble here - -and they just don't accept that it is the right thing to do for them.

2. Discover what you are passionate about - Everyone has passions -- those things (or people) that ignite their drive, fuel their energy and not only motivate but excite. It may be helping others, making money, doing good for the community, or working on something (with animals, technology, hands, etc.) When you can identify and articulate your passion, you can then begin to work toward it.

3. Identify jobs or careers where you can apply your passion -- this is the "connect" - Utilizing the resources we have to identify job and career options (job boards, web sites et al), you can identify jobs, careers or business opportunities that align with your passion (s). It will take some research , but you will start to find the answers and find your way.

4. Talk to others in the type of job, career or business you are passionate about - and continue learning: You will find that most people are very helpful and will provide guidance. Don't cross the line make it look like you are trying to get a job with them or steal business.

5. Reevaluate what you have learned - -and “retest” – You may find what you are passionate about isn’t available or it might not be the right time. If this is the case, work on planning to put you in a situation where you can begin to work toward a role you are passionate about. .

6. And if you find it and the match – go for it with gusto and full steam ahead – Don’t let anyone or anything hold you back if you have vetted through the retest and know the facts through your research.

We spend a good deal of our waking and living life engaged in our profession. Doesn’t it just make sense to be fulfilled, happy and loving what one does?. You bet it does!