Monday, May 23, 2011

Go over the top to leave a lasting impression … You have one and only one chance so be large!

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression. – Most interesting – no one can be credited with this quote – it perhaps originated on Madison Avenue as an ad slogan. Others do credit Oscar Wilde. Whatever – it is so true!

I had the opportunity to meet Matthew Parent, the Managing Director of the Vanderbilt Grace Hotel in Newport, RI. The hotel has undergone a complete makeover and take my word, it is beautiful with impeccable service, in-town location, wonderful amenities and a great place to escape to for a few days or a week. You will think you are in the lap of luxury. We were there as my wife, who is a magazine publisher, was doing a review of the hotel and I had to go along to “work and help out”. Check it out: www.vanderbiltgrace.com and add to your summer plans for a nice escape.

My purpose in talking to Matthew was to understand how he got this job at this beautiful hotel after having left the hospitality business for 18 years (landing in the securities industry) and at the time, undergoing a series of personal challenges. Matthew told me a most unique story about his interview preparation and meeting with the CEO of the hotel group.

The Vanderbilt Grace is an old, historic property dating to the Vanderbilt family and a bit of their checkered past. The mansion was built for one of Vanderbilt’s mistresses – she never lived there. The building had even more history and Matthew had read a book about it some time ago. Knowing that he would be interviewing with the CEO, he knew he needed to make a memorable impression and seal the deal – the job he dreamed of.

Through networking (again – see how important this is), Matthew got the interview but knew his networking contact could only get him there – he needed to take control, be on his a-game and convince the CEO (as well as others) that he was the right person for this prestigious post.

Matthew was schedule for an interview with the CEO – the real decision maker. At the conclusion of his interview, after demonstrating his command of the history of the property, he reached into his briefcase and took out an old and tattered copy of a book about the Vanderbilt’s and the property. He presented it to the CEO. “I think this book will be of more value o you now”, he stated. He sealed the deal; made the commanding impression.

And Matthew proved one more thing – you can achieve whatever you set your dreams on achieving if you preserve and try just a bit harder than the “other guy”. He demonstrated how preparation was the key to winning. He went over the top. He demonstrated interest – deep interest. He assumed others would not go to the length he did, and he was right.

Engaged in a search? Define yourself, make a memorable impression, dare to different and go over the top. Never take any interview or contact for granted – believe they know nothing about you, and “sell” yourself into a new job, career or your own business. Take Matthew’s example to heart. You can do it.

And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Friday, May 20, 2011

Job Market report May 19 2011

The market gos up - the market drops - overall looks like we are in a positive trend ...
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For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968
May 18, 2011

Job Postings Drop After Huge Run Up


(Albany, NY, May 18, 2011) – Job postings dropped about 7% this past week, cooling after a huge 21% increase the week before. Job postings came in at just about 3900 the past week. “It is not unusual to see a bit of drop off after two prior weeks of significant increases. Employers are still reporting robust hiring plans, both in national and our own local employment index survey so the picture remains bright. This is especially good news for recent college grads returning to the area after graduation; they will find a stronger job market and jobs to go to – much better than the past few years”, stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

Job postings decreased in all New York State market as well, after showing strong increases last week as well. It is also important to note that Albany is the smallest market in size when compared to the other markets and continued to outpace with more job postings within an areas of smaller population.


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, May 9, 2011

Mushrooms grow in the Dark – not people – so get into the light …

“A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.” – Denis Waitley

Some people live in the shadow of someone else and they stay in the background. For some, this is a comfort zone – they are where they cannot be seen or heard, and they just function. They are like a mushroom surviving in the dark and dank. For many, the person who they are in the shadow of wants it that way and will attempt to keep them in the dark and to a degree, under control.

Being in the “dark” or in other words, in the shadow of another will make it so difficult to grow, achieve, take on new responsibilities and be what you want to be. If this is you or someone you know, and you have committed to change in life and career, time to shed the shadow of someone else, let go of the ropes and stake your claim to what you want, without being held back. Making the break will be invigorating for sure, and you can celebrate .

Remember – no one can control you – unless you let them.

Especially in your career, this is so true, and in relationships as well. One can only be controlled and limited if they allow themselves to be, and have been unwilling to break out and chart their own course. A demanding boss or controlling individual may try to hold you back, but you can break this – just be direct and honest – state your intentions – and begin the move, not letting someone else take the actions for you.

* Want a new job in another department and told you can’t – tell your boss your intentions, communicate your plan and control your approach to the new department.
* Told you can’t do X, Y or Z in your career? Never accept it; state your intentions to your family, significant other, etc. and begin the move, controlling it for yourself and not letting others control or hold you back.
* Being held back on your job by a controlling boss or situation and feeling constricted and miserable. Speak up – state your intentions and needs and if not heeded, it is time to move on. Be bold to accept this, and take action

Work is 80% of your waking time – should you not be happy, fulfilled and growing? Absolutely you should and it is often the first bold move – coming out of the shadow of someone else that will launch you toward this.

Come into your own light. Shine and stake your claim on your future and goals – and enjoy the ride! And thank you for reading this. -Dan

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Job Market Report - May 5 2011

Not good news this week ...

Capital Region Job Postings Drop 15% on Heels of Holiday

For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968 May 4, 2011


(Albany, NY, May 4, 2011) – After a significant drop of 15% the week prior, job postings in the region increased this past week, a welcome sign. Postings topped 3630, up from 3400 the week before. While welcome news, postings are still well below last year but above 2009. "The local regional job market is still anemic at best in a period when we should be seeing strong growth. This is consistent with State and national reports indicating that economic recovery has stalled and may be slipping a bit; this type of news will impact employer confidence and therefore, hiring plans, as we are seeing in the numbers", stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. "If one is in the market looking for a job, advice to heed - keep your focus, don't get wrapped up in the numbers and be on your a-game always".

Moran continued, "We continue to see overall job losses in the region, but the good news is that private sector jobs continue to grow. The losses are in the public sector and that trend is forecasted to continue".

Job postings increased in other New York State markets which shows some resilience in our State employment consistent with national reports. It is also important to note that Albany is the smallest market in size when compared to the other markets and continued to outpace with more job postings within an areas of smaller population.

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.

Monday, May 2, 2011

There is a labor shortage --- and if you aren’t aggressive, you will miss out ….

“Communication--the human connection--is the key to personal and career success” – Paul J. Meyer


I was the speaker at the Albany Rotary meeting yesterday (and thank you to Charlotte and the group for inviting me). I spoke on the changing landscape of the labor market and the state of mind of today’s workers. At the conclusion, three of the attendees talked to me privately about their business situation – they had open jobs that cannot fill and they were frustrated.

The other evening I was at another networking event of local business owners and managers. The message was again clear from those I talked with. They were frustrated because they could not fill their open positions. Last week at a human resource association event – guess what – heard from two recruiters; same story. My wife returned from her weekly networking meeting with the Albany Executives Association and proclaimed – “ … again we all talked about not being able to find people to fill our open jobs …..”

So you are thinking yea – must be technical, healthcare or other jobs that you need special skills for.

They were not. Sales – customer service – office management – field service – marketing. Yes there were some special skill jobs, but not the majority.

So why were they having difficulty? They were not using the approaches most spend their time with when looking for a job -- the job boards or newspapers. They were networking their job opening, using craigslist, standing up at meetings and telling everyone what they were looking for. They were not taking the route most do – post the job on a job board, get flooded with resumes from those unqualified who just apply for anything.

What is the message here?

There are jobs – good jobs – but they are not in the places that most resort to – spending hours on the computer scouring thousands of job postings. They are “in the field” – but you must be resilient, diligent, focused and committed to finding them. In this case networking rules. Getting out from behind your computer is imperative. Talk to people – tell them what you seek to do. Attend events. Volunteer. Just be visible and approachable.

Technology has made job search easier – just as it has also made it more difficult. It is easy to find all types of jobs and just fire a resume, qualified or not. The technology allows this.

But it doesn’t work.

Plain old pressing the flesh, meeting and talking to people – and selling yourself – now that works!

Been doing exactly this – buried in your computer. Shut it off now. Engage with others. Use technology for information – but use your common sense to take it to the next level. 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