Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Job Market Update June 29th

Enjoy the holiday ...
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For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968
June 29, 2011

Job Postings Drop Slightly as Holiday Approaches

(Albany, NY, June 29, 2011) – Job postings decreased again slightly this past week, dipping below 4000 to approximately 3825 but still stronger than late Spring signaling that the summer months may be stronger job market months than in recent years, good news for job seekers. “ We seem to be hovering in the 4000 range which is good – especially for this time of the year – but still down about 20% from last year. Analysts are forecasting a stronger second half of the year for jobs – we are seeing signs that this is materializing. Still however, the market isn’t as strong as last year – but better than 2009”, stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

“Job seekers need to continue to be aggressive in the summer months as it appears the market has shifted from spring to summer. Also – stay connected with your email, return phone calls and generally be assessable – many recruiters complain that candidates become lax in the summer when they are trying to reach them about a potential job”.


Job postings were flat in other major New York State markets were down that past week. Albany is the smallest market in size when compared to the other markets and continued to outpace with more job postings.


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, June 27, 2011

Ah summertime -- kick off the flip flogs, put your resume in the shelf until fall - NOT!

"The greatest revenge is to accomplish what others say you cannot do." - Unknown

This is the time of the year - late June and into July - when many check out from the job market and simply stop looking for jobs. Their perception (and in this case perception isn't reality), is that hiring slows in the summertime and fewer jobs are available.

Here's the truth: There is no piece of data or truth to that perception at all. In fact, this year, summer hiring should be a whole lot different.

Here's the facts:

* Economic forecasters are pointing to a much stronger second half of the year from hiring than the first, and early numbers are holding this to be true in our region as we have seen an increase in job activity after a flat and rather dismal spring. Job postings were up 34% a week back - after a huge 3-% drop back in April - it is looking like a positive trend is emerging.
* Specific employer and industry-specific surveys are also telling the story that they expect to hire more in the 2nd half of the year ... consistent with forecasts.
* Manpower - a leading forecaster of hiring activity in their third quarter forecast stated: Survey results suggest that employers expect a relatively stable hiring pace during Quarter 3 2011 compared to Quarter 2 2011. The July – September Outlook for the U.S. shows a slight increase compared to one year ago at this time. Read the report here: http://tinyurl.com/3m5db56

In the years I have been tracking trends of job activity, day-by-day, week-by week, month-by-month, year-by-year, there has been no significant drop in job market activity in the summer (or around the holidays in December - another untrue perception). Yes, around the 4th of July and Labr Day the market goes quiet for close to a week, but that is the only drop off.

So don't shelve the resume - keep up the activity and use the summer to your advantage ...

... as not matter what the number say, many will drop out of the market. Good news for you - it will be less competitive! WIN at their expense.

Use summer events to network - plant the seeds ..
.

There are so many opportunities to network with summer events - professional and personal - social gatherings and more. You this to your advantage; make new connections. Remember - 70-80% of jobs are the result of networking - why then do most not network?

Don't get sucked into the negative ...

You will meet people who will tell you the world is hell, the job market stinks and woe is me. Okay - the market has been off and is not as robust as 2010 - but it is so much better than 2009 for sure! Be with and align to positive people; let the naysayers wallow in and on their own.

Enjoy the summer - make it worthwhile and profitable for you. The rays of sun energize people - get that energy and push on to your dreams.

And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Job Market Update - June 22, 2011

Continuing to look better!!!!
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For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968
June 22, 2011

Job Postings Drop Slightly Again After Better Than 30% Jump Week Before

(Albany, NY, June 22, 2011) – Job postings decreased very slightly staying above 4000, the first time in close to two months, coming in at 4081. “Postings seem to be holding in a positive trend, over 4000, for the past few weeks which is welcomed sign and further indication what some analysts have been saying – the second half of the year may be better for jobs than the first half of 2011. In our Region, it appear that the strong hiring we normally expect to see in the Spring will be rolling to the summer this year. Many job seekers take the summer month off from looking which isn’t recommended at especially not recommended this year given the trend of the numbers”, “stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.


Job postings were flat in other major New York State markets as well. Albany is the smallest market in size when compared to the other markets and continued to outpace with more job postings.


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, June 20, 2011

Welcoming people to our area … They do want to come here!

Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone's hand is the beginning of a journey”. – Vera Nazarian

Last week, I wrote that we really cannot be termed Smallbany anymore as we are on the world map and a location desirable for many to relocate to. Brought quite a few comments directly to me by email and through linkedin.com; I appreciate that. A few told me I was crazy and one person thought my article was a farce – it wasn’t.

I wanted to follow up and “meet” a family that came to the region to understand their experience in relocating here. They say it best and know all we have offer as region. They see our region differently and offer a new perspective. Take Kelly Keating for example. I met Kelly through my friends at Tech Valley Connect , a one-of –a kind innovative program ( the only in the nation) focused on helping families relocating here acclimate to the community, find jobs for trailing spouses and being a resource. Kelly told me her story this past week, and it is a shining example of looking at the glass half full vs. half empty. I want to share my talk with her and her thoughts on the region and how to best handle a relocation.

Kelly – when you first learned that you were going to relocate to this region, as you have done many times before, what were your thoughts?

I looked at the positives of the move and not the negatives around relocating the kids from their school, losing our network of friends and contacts we had in Champaign, Il where we move from. I reached out to my friends – many around the nation – told them where we were going and asked for their feedback. What I learned is that this region has an excellent reputation as a great place to live and raise a family, and that was so comforting.

How did you happen to come to the area?

My husband accepted a position at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Once he accepted, the wheels of motion began to attend to our needs from Human Resources and also from Julie Hansen of Tech Valley Connect (www.techvalleyconnect.com).

What did you see as the positives with our region?


Maybe not the weather at first! We experienced our first Upstate NY winter - but we got through it. We came from a smaller, culturally rich university community (pop. 150,000) where there was one major employer, to a larger community with many employment and cultural options. We learned very quickly – the positives about the area are its people, culture, employment opportunities, communities , education resources and beauty of the geography with the mountains and views (our home overlooks the Berkshires), so unlike Illinois where it is flat – forever.

You found a job rather quickly … how did that happen?
Yes, I found a job in just a few months and it was through networking and I cannot emphasize this enough to someone coming to a new community. I conducted informational interviews with anyone I could and if they could not be of direct assistance to me, I asked if they know someone who could. I was amazed at how helpful people were. Before we had unpacked, which wasn’t my plan, I began working for the Albany College of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Research Institute and I really enjoy what I do.

What recommendations would you give to those relocating here?
* Network – and continually network – it is a great way to find out about opportunities and as well, to get connected to the community on all levels.
* Do your research and connect before you move – I used the Internet for information about the region, communities, groups for our family, and more. I signed up for email updates and began connecting with people. It was so helpful.
* Focus on the positives – Moving is tough: prepare and focus on the positives, and it will be a less stressful and a better experience.

I have heard folks in our own region greet a newcomer with “… you came here, why” in an off handed comment? Did you hear that?
No – it was quite the opposite welcoming. Neighbors came over with wine – we were invited to parties – they helped us feel comfortable. We could not have felt more welcomed and comfortable.

Anything quirky that confused you when you arrived?
It takes awhile to realize that the Northway is I-87 – I couldn’t find the Northway on any map! Also, we live in the Hamlet of Loudonville, in the Village or Town of Colonie but when you put our address in GPS, it says Albany, NY. As long as you send your taxes to the right people, I guess it is okay.

Your plans?
Explore the region, visit the beautiful places I have read about, meet more people and enjoy our first summer in the region. We are looking forward to it – we love this area.

Great advice from a new family to our region. Please help and be welcoming, engaging and know – we are not Smallbany anymore – we have “arrived”.

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

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Job Market report - June 16th

EXCELLENT NEWS THIS WEEK - a big increase - Finally!
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For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968
June 15, 2011

Job Postings Increase Significantly past Seven Days – Start of a Rebound?


(Albany, NY, June 15, 2011) – After several weeks of deepening decline, job postings increased significantly this past seven days, right on the heels of a slight increase the week prior. Postings came in at approximately 4300, up from 3200 the week prior which is quite a jump of 34%. While a strong rebound, this week’s number is far below the 5600 reported for the same period in 2010 but well over the 3200 for the same period in 2009. “This is a report of good news and bad news – a nice rebound but far below last year. One can only hope that this may be the start of a sorely needed strong rebound that has escaped the Region the past several weeks when we would expect job postings to be significantly higher than they were. We need to get by the uncertainty of the roller coaster of one week up, one week down; the business community appears to not know what to expect in the economy on all levels. The later spring weeks are usually the weeks of highest hiring activity, but it was not so this year when we saw postings mirror 2009 levels when we were deep in the recession. If this continues, great news for job seekers and a boost to the confidence of the community, “stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

Job postings increased slightly in all other major New York State markets as well. Albany is the smallest market in size when compared to the other markets and continued to outpace with more job postings.


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, June 13, 2011

Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights. ~Pauline R. Kezer

It has been the joke of those living here …”you know, it’s SmallBany …” Many have had the perception that we are a small city with lots of growing up to do, and we are a bit backward as a Region.

Guess what – we can’t really say this anymore, at least from my perspective and the perspective of many I talk to. We have grown – grown in a huge manner – and this Region is now known throughout the world.

Credit the nanotechnology development and Global Foundries in the Region. Credit the TechValley initiative that has taken hold. And credit those who saw the potential here. We are now on the worldwide map as the center for technology and innovation and as a livable Region with a great quality of life, opportunity and climate for growing a business (okay – so maybe the winters are a bit tough – shhhh – don’t tell anyone).

I recall in July of 2009, when the country was knee deep in the recession – likely the worst recession anyone of us will ever experience in our working life, – I was watching Good Morning America as I was getting ready to leave for my office. The news, as it was those days, was doom and gloom, horror stories of businesses failing, mass layoffs, real estate prices crashing and foreclosures. The reporter was commenting on the dismal state of some of the industrial Midwest cities with double digit unemployment and more.

Then the story shifted …

“But in the Northeast, there is a shining star and a Region that is poised to explode and prosper ….”

The next frame – the sign for the Village of Malta, NY. The story went on to say that while other areas were losing industries and population, the Upstate NY area was going in the opposite direction. The story touted the number of jobs, the number of businesses, the development of our Region and how it will impact and the number of people that will be coming to work here. WOW – that was sweet.

And it is happening. We have families relocating to the Region now for jobs coming domestically and internationally. They don’t see us as SmallBany – they see opportunity. We even have the only program existing in the US – TechValley Connect (www.techvalleyconnect.com) – focused solely on helping relocating families acclimate to the Region, find jobs for the trailing spouse and helping those not of origin in the US culturally acclimate to the community. And it is working – and growing . Kudos to Angela McNerney and Julie Hansen of Tech Valley Connect for the great work they are doing and the impact they are having on the community.

So it is time to drop the SmallBany – we are on the world’s stage. Please welcome our newcomers to the Region – make them feel welcomed.

I guess you can see – I am a huge fan of the area. And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Job Market Report - June 9 2011

Better - but a ways to go to be on track with 2010 -
_________________________________________________________________

For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968
June 8, 2011

Job Postings Rebound Slightly Reversing Downward Trend


(Albany, NY, June 8, 2011) – Job postings increased slightly again this past week to just about 3200, up slightly from the previous week. Job postings had been declining the prior several weeks. “The results we are seeing in the Capital Region are consistent with national trends reported this week – the job market and the number of job postings nationwide have been weak the past few months across the board as concerns over the state of the economic recovery loom. Some pools indicate that the second half of 2011 may be better and we will have to wait and see if this occurs and watch the polls carefully”, stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.


Job postings increase slightly in all other major New York State markets as well. Albany is the smallest market in size when compared to the other markets and continued to outpace with more job postings.


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, June 6, 2011

Always give back ---

“The more credit you give away, the more will come back to you. The more you help others, the more they will want to help you.” – Brian Tracy

I have a powerful network of contacts – who I relish, protect and am blessed with. They know what to expect of me; I know what to expect f them. It is a take – and give – relationship.

So often when one goes out to “network” they are looking to take from those they have met or set out to meet. But they often forget – the value of a network is a group you can give back to in return for their consideration.

How often I have heard about people reaching out, asking for help in getting a job, making a potential sales contact or whatever – and never reporting back or seeing how they could help one who helped them. Or in some cases – to just say thanks!

In Dig Your Well Before You Are Thirsty, (http://www.harveymackay.com/books/book_dig.cfm) in my opinion one of Harvey Mackay’s best books, he writes – you know you have a strong network when it’s 4:00 in the morning and you are in jail – and you don’t have to call family! Networking isn’t simply making contacts for your personal gain, it is giving back to those contracts – everyone – something in return. It might be keeping in touch with topical information, sending along a lead or news tidbit of interest( like this blog – hey, shameless self-promotion), or sharing good news. Harvey Mackay still sends birthday cares – now that is impactful.

In my case, I keep in touch weekly not to promote Dan Moran and what he does, but to share a tip, quote and make one think and smile as they start the work week. My list, feeder networks and social networks for my weekly note has grown to over 1 million – wow. (Want to be on the list – send me an email dmoran@next-act.com or sign up through my web site – www.next-act.com)

So don’t just network – connect, take value and give back more.

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

Friday, June 3, 2011

Job Market Report June 3 2011

Still not good - but at least holding it's own ...
__________________________________________________________________

For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968
June 1, 2011

Job Postings Continue to Decline: Down Slightly from Previous Two Year Low


(Albany, NY, June 1, 2011) – Job postings increased slightly this past week coming in at just about 3150 up from 3000 the previous week when postings dropped 30% in one week. This is well below last year when job postings for the same week were 5700. In 2009, when the region as mired in the recession, job posting numbers were similar to this year, at just over 3200. “It appears that the combination of a weaker job market in the region and the effect of a long holiday weekend continues to take its toll on job postings. It is concerning that we seem to be stuck in a rut of sorts; the market is, at best anemic from my years of tracking”, stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

“We are looking for that surge forward and consistent that we expected to see in the Spring that hasn’t occurred with consistency. That would be welcome news for the Region and especially job seekers”.

Job postings were either flat or decreased slightly all other major New York State markets, with a sharp drop in metro New York City. Albany is the smallest market in size when compared to the other markets and continued to outpace with more job postings.


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