Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Job Market report - 3/30/11

Not much better ..

For Immediate Release
For Information, Dan Moran 518-641-8968

Albany, NY, March 30, 2011

Job Postings Flat Past Week after Plummeting 14% one week ago

(Albany, NY, March 30, 2011) – Job postings in the Capital Region were flat the past week after dr0pping 14% the week before, continuing to signal a very slow sluggish return to hiring in the region, so different than last year at this time when, for the month of March, job postings averaged 6100 vs. an average of 4581 this year, a 26% decline and very concerning. “ We came out of the doldrums of 2009 with a very strong first quarter of 2010 but that hasn’t repeated in 2011. Many say it is the weather delaying Spring hiring plans; others chalk it up to the State budget situation that was resolved this week. The bottom line is that employers are holding back creating a more competitive market for those seeking a new job, “ 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.

In other New York State markets, postings were as well flat over the past week. While a smaller market, the Capital Region still outpaces other NYS markets (with the exception of metro NYC). This has been consistent for well over three years.

#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.

## End##

About Next-Act

Next-Act, a division of DVG, Inc. is a career management & transition firm directed by Dan Moran, the Founder & President of the firm. Moran contributes over thirty years experience in career consulting, business and human resources management. Moran is noted for his expertise in helping today’s “boomers” move on to fulfilling second careers, while helping executives and professionals achieve their career goals. The firm also provides human resources consulting and corporate services to companies. Moran is also a certified facilitator for C.J. Hayden’s Get Clients Now! & Get Hired Now! programs.

For further press information: http://www.next-act.com/press_room.



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, March 27, 2011

It isn’t just being smart. It’s Being your Best – On All Levels that Counts

“I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end” – Abraham Lincoln

I was asked to speak before city-wide professional development program of secondary level teachers in the Troy School District, and I am thrilled to do so and would do so in any school district. The subject I was asked to speak on is “Preparing Students for the Workplace”. The educators want to help prepare students for the business community and they have reached out to get opinion and ideas for us in the field. That is great!

In putting my presentation together which was presented March 25th (Friday), I thought I would pose this question to the www.linkedin.com community so I posted discussion items to the various groups I am in.

The response – astonishing. So many chimed in with their ideas, comments and experiences. I was blown away. And if you are reading this blog and did chime in – thanks again!

What I took from the comments is the key attributes employers look for in job applicants – and it isn’t experience, education and technical skills always. I was asking about preparing students and I got this – and more. Employers communicated what they look for not just in students, but those they hire and the advice is so valuable.

What is most critical that employers look for?

It’s the soft skills that really count.

They yearn for:

• Well Rounded individuals who can be coached.
• Low drama people – those who check their baggage at the door
• Those who get the basics – writing, grammar
• Those who are respectful – lots of comments on this
• The right attitude – this was cross the board. “Give me a person with the right attitude and I can teach him or her the technical skills”.
• Strong work ethic – and can demonstrate it from school or prior experience
• Being on time, prepared, ready to work and willing to go beyond and do their best
• Ability to communicate – in a clear and concise manner
• The ability to listen – really listen

And ..

They look for an hire people they like and want to work with every day.

There are plenty of suggestions and ideas here – to help you move on or up in your career or job, or in your business. Sadly, many of those who commented also said that they have been disappointed with those applying for employment who do not have the soft skills – or didn’t communicate them.

It isn’t just the reading, writing and arithmetic employers want – they want to whole person. Be the whole person. Understand what is critical and important, and excel. Thank you to Linda Seymour and the folks at Troy High School for inviting me.

And thank you for reading this. - Dan


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

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Job Market Report - March 23, 2011

Okay - up last week, down this week - the market is sluggish ...
______________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release
For Information, Dan Moran 518-641-8968

Albany, NY, March 23, 2011

Job Postings Plummet a Concerning 14% over past week

(Albany, NY, March 23, 2011) – Job postings in the Capital Region plummeted 14% the past week continuing to show the sluggish jobs recovery in the Region. This is a full 13% lower than last year at this time and comes on the heels of several flat weeks and one week of increase. “ I have been watching the numbers on a day to day basis and saw some numbers that indicated we may have been moving out of the slump, but then the numbers changed. This week we saw a significant decrease – and this continues which is very concerning. This also comes after a report that the Region lost 6400 jobs last year, fueled by cuts in the public sector which will continue. The good news is that the private sector actually increased jobs the past year. Growth will be the private sector in this area, “ 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.

“For those in the job market, this just means that one needs to be better prepared, more aggressive and focused in their pursuit of a job as the market has become again more competitive. Sweating the details of their resume being sure it is perfect, preparing to nail every interview and making contacts – and then more contacts – is imperative in a tough and competitive market”, continues Moran. “Those in the public sector who feel their job may be in jeopardy should start preparing now to market their transferrable skills to the private sector, and not wait”.

Postings slumped significantly in other New York State markets as well. While a smaller market, the Capital Region still outpaces other NYS markets (with the exception of metro NYC). This has been consistent for well over three years.

#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.

## End##

About Next-Act

Next-Act, a division of DVG, Inc. is a career management & transition firm directed by Dan Moran, the Founder & President of the firm. Moran contributes over thirty years experience in career consulting, business and human resources management. Moran is noted for his expertise in helping today’s “boomers” move on to fulfilling second careers, while helping executives and professionals achieve their career goals. The firm also provides human resources consulting and corporate services to companies. Moran is also a certified facilitator for C.J. Hayden’s Get Clients Now! & Get Hired Now! programs.

For further press information: http://www.next-act.com/press_room.



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, March 21, 2011

Be Wrong and Pick Your Battles Carefully …

"Don’t’ fight a battle is there is no value in the win”, Erwin Rommel

“Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.” - Peter T. McIntyre


You don’t always have to be right. For some, this is hard to accept. But it is true – so true as you go to work, relate to others, in life and in relationships. That stubborn (yes it is stubborn) drive to always be right, and never admitting fault can be a killer in life and most certainly in your career.

Have you noticed how some people seem to be constantly embroiled in battle on some level. They battle with their boss, their co-workers, other departments, etc. They has drama in their lives and family – it is almost always off-kilter. They become known for this ineffective behavior, their inability to accept responsibility, and it is often a career-killer. Those who battle everything and labeled as “difficult”, and are not team players. They do not grow – their value to the company is questionable. And in their lives, the drama continues – there is no peace – war rages on.

Picking your battles carefully – the battles that are truly important --- is leadership, personal and business maturity at its best. You’ll be happier and more content. Your value will consistently increase and you will go places.
Admitting that you are wrong, you “messed” up, or it was your fault – now that is leadership on al levels as well. The willingness to stand out, admit that you wronged, learn from it and showing others that it is not weak to make a mistake or do something wrong will be memorable to others. As we learn through life, the buck truly stops here – with you. You are responsible for your actions, no one else. You are responsible for your accomplishments and growth. And you are responsible when things go wrong.

Years back, an old boss of mine from my Garden Way (Troy-Bilt) days used to ask me all the time …”Moran – making enough mistakes?.....”. His message was clear, if you are truly trying to grow and improve, you will make mistakes, and they are good. They are learning experiences.

Be wrong and enjoy it. Let others know. Pick the battles you can win – and let the others go. And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Job Market report - 3/16/11

Market picks up --- about time!

For Immediate Release
For Information, Dan Moran 518-641-8968

Albany, NY, March 16, 2011

Job Postings Jump 8% after Weeks Of being Flat

(Albany, NY, March 16, 2011) – Job postings in the Capital Region were flat is not slightly down for the month of February and into March. However, this week saw a turn as job postings jumped 8% in one week coming in at 4960 signaling that the expected Spring rebound may be starting. Other markets in New York State, with the exception of Syracuse, were down the past week. “ I have been watching the numbers on a day to day basis and saw the numbers break late last week and it has continued, indicating that employers may be again ready to start Spring hiring, which is always a good time of the year for jobs. I am still hearing concerns expressed by employers over the state of healthcare and the associated costs, which has a direct effect upon hiring, as well as State budget ramifications and high gas prices that affect transportation”, 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.

As mentioned, postings were down in other NYS markets with the exception of Syracuse. While a smaller market, the Capital Region still outpaces other NYS markets (with the exception of metro NYC). This has been consistent for well over three years.

#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.

## End##

About Next-Act

Next-Act, a division of DVG, Inc. is a career management & transition firm directed by Dan Moran, the Founder & President of the firm. Moran contributes over thirty years experience in career consulting, business and human resources management. Moran is noted for his expertise in helping today’s “boomers” move on to fulfilling second careers, while helping executives and professionals achieve their career goals. The firm also provides human resources consulting and corporate services to companies. Moran is also a certified facilitator for C.J. Hayden’s Get Clients Now! & Get Hired Now! programs.

For further press information: http://www.next-act.com/press_room.



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, March 14, 2011

Wisdom of the World’s Oldest People --- Optimism …

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” – Maria Robinson

I have always thought this to be true – that a positive attitude and optimism are key to growth, spirit, success and happiness. I see it in myself; I see it in my family and my clients. And I have found validation … again.

In the book, The Wisdom of the World’s Oldest People, (The Earth Elders Foundation, ISBN: 0-976910802, http://www.earthselders.org ), we learn that the first trait that bound each to the other is a positive attitude. This book contains stories and interviews with the oldest people on our earth, and probes into their lives and how they have achieved living as long as they have.

What did the authors find? The elders were always optimistic. The elders recall the good things in life, and don’t dwell on the hardships they have encountered. They put the setbacks behind them as history, and focused looking forward. They learned to preserve and overcome. The hardships they have encountered – war, famine, natural cause devastation – the things that today would bring our world to its needs, they have lived, survived and went on. They are evidence - in age and spirit – that our attitude does clearly have an impact on the length and sweetness of life.

This is a lesson learned. One can dwell in the past and recall the difficult and tough times, or choose to look forward and recall the good things in life. If you elect the latter, you will live a better, longer, more fulfilled and a sweet life of opportunity and promise.

If you think about this, a job loss, while surely a life defining event, can be put into perspective. A mistake in career choice – that can be changed. A life or relationship problem – again, can be corrected. It is all up to you to continue to be optimistic and maintain a positive attitude during the difficult times.

We can learn from our elders, and their wisdom. They deserve our respect, and our attention.

And thank you for reading this. - Dan

PS: Start reading this - you can't put it down!

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

Monday, March 7, 2011

Being the “Best Of” --- you ...

“Whatever you are, be a good one.” Abraham Lincoln

Many publications have been running their Best Of contests, providing reader’s rankings of restaurants, services, stores etc. It is fun to read, and congratulations to the winners.

Along this theme of “Best Of” I thought I would take a difference approach ….

What makes a person the best at what they do and why do some businesses reach “Best Of” distinction, and others don’t …

Over the years of being in the business of helping people and businesses achieve their best performance, I have learned that the answers are not found in the product, not found is just the location or in the marketing message.

It is found in the people – the people that fuel a business and take care of customers. It is the people in a business that can make – or break – a business. This is why it is so critical to focus on getting the right people into the right jobs in a company. As well, for the individual, it is so important to be in the right job or else you stand a higher change of failure.

When I talk of people, it isn’t one person – it’s the team of people working together where the magic occurs. If you have a team in your business that is motivated, driven to succeed, industrious, and perhaps resilient, you have a high functioning team that will help drive the business forward. One mis-match person on a team can bring performance down – so careful selection, evaluation, testing/assessment and knowing when to pass on someone is critical – so critical to business success.

And this is where most business owners fail – they hire bodies and not players for the business – it is just sometimes easier to have a body versus no one. As many know, this will come back to bite you. Tools are available in the marketplace (and not they won’t cost and arm and a leg) to help any size business make better, more informed and predictive hiring choices – choosing the right players for the team. I use several but find great success with Fitability and Chequed, both of which I know well. These tools can virtually predict performance, before you hire and waste money. If you haven’t won “Best Of” distinction and want to, work first on the foundation – the players on you team.

Is the same true for career? Absolutely. Being in a job or career that fits you is imperative to driving your performance. If you are disconnected, out-of-place and in the wrong job or career, your performance will suffer and your attitude will be severely affected. That spells trouble but you can correct if you commit to being the best of in what you do and where you do it.

At the same time, being in a business – or potentially launching a business – that may not be the right fit for you can spell early doom. We have all seen and heard it. A person launches a business, perhaps they didn’t vet the ideas and fit first, and then failed – or worst yet they see some success, but they hate it. Customers see it. They complain. At some point, their customers will “fire” them.

To be the “Best O” – in business, career, as an employer – look to fit and have the right people on your team and be the right person on a team. It defines success. – And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Thursday, March 3, 2011

This week's job market report - 3/3/11

Hope this is helpful ...

________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release
For Information, Dan Moran 518-641-8968

Albany, NY, March 2,2011

Job Postings Continue Pattern: Job Posting Drop Slightly – But showing growth past few days – a good sign

(Albany, NY, March 2, 2011) – Job postings in the Capital Region have been flat for the month of February, after a good run up in January. Postings dropped about 2% this past week as well, showing that the market is still a bit anemic. But there is some good news here. “While postings have been flat or down slightly, which isn’t uncommon for February, I have been watching for the signs that we are shaking this funk and over the past few days, I have seen some healthy increase in job postings so perhaps the March surge that are hoping to see is about to happen, “ 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.

“February is generally a flat month, but this February, we have been tracking about 9% behind last year but better than 2009, which has been a surprise. Some have chalked it up to the weather and business disruptions and others, like me, have been looking at the uncertainty of the State budget causing concern in the Region. The telling sign will be the next few weeks when we should see strong growth in job market activity”, continued Moran

Across the State, job postings dropped slightly in Buffalo and in the Metro NYC market while increasing slightly in Rochester and Syracuse. While a smaller market, the Capital Region still outpaces other NYS markets (with the exception of metro NYC). This has been consistent for well over three years.

#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.

## End##

About Next-Act

Next-Act, a division of DVG, Inc. is a career management & transition firm directed by Dan Moran, the Founder & President of the firm. Moran contributes over thirty years experience in career consulting, business and human resources management. Moran is noted for his expertise in helping today’s “boomers” move on to fulfilling second careers, while helping executives and professionals achieve their career goals. The firm also provides human resources consulting and corporate services to companies. Moran is also a certified facilitator for C.J. Hayden’s Get Clients Now! & Get Hired Now! programs.

For further press information: http://www.next-act.com/press_room.



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