Sunday, May 27, 2012

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 Okay – it is Memorial Day Weekend – the unofficial start of summer especially in the Northeast. Ah summer – time to kick-back, sit under a tree, hand out at Saratoga Racecourse, SPAC, Lark Street et al. It’s time to just relax. Yes – and no. Yes relax and savor this great season albeit short in our region. But no -- if you are thinking about making a change in your career path – like 47% of the population is thinking about doing. This is the time to make hay. Unfortunately, many “check-out” of the job market under the false pretense that the market slows down in the summer. The real 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: * Economic forecasters are pointing to a much stronger second half of the year, beginning with the third quarter (July 1st). After a lackluster first half when the job market in our region and nationally was anemic at best, this is welcomed news and will not be unlike 2010 when we saw the same situation occur as we climbed out of the recession. * Careerbuilder.com – a leading job board – reports a stronger increase in hiring by private sector employers in the third and fourth quarters of 2010 with 25% planning to add full-time staff, up from 20% in 2010 and unchanged from last year. However, the bulk of hiring is planned for the second half. Careerbuilder surveys employers quarterly to evaluate hiring trends. * Unemployment is dropping – ever so slowly and certainly not what we expected – across the nation. In our region specifically, there has been year-over-year job growth and just this week it has been reported that we have gained back or replaced ll the jobs lost in the private sector since the recession started (the public sector hasn’t and I not expected to). * Manufacturing is improving – a leading indicator of economic improvement and signaling a bit more confidence. * Plans by employers to downsize – cut staff – are down two percentage points – not a great drop but showing a decrease in downsizing plans. Sometimes stability is good! In the years I have been tracking trends of job activity, 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 Labor 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 - 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. Attend as many social gatherings as possible where the settings are more casual and you can make new acquaintances and perhaps contacts. Remember - 70-80% of jobs are the result of networking. 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 2011 to date - 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. DON’T: • Think its summer and “lay back” and dress so. DRESS TO IMPRESS – always. Remember what you mom told you – wear clean underwear and make the best impression! No flip flops to interviews! • Be disconnected. Stay assessable when on vacation. Check your email and messages. Recruiters complain that in the summer, job seekers check out and they cannot reach them. You don’t want to lose a potential job because someone could not reach you! 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

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Job Market Report 5 24 12

Not good - we dropped .. but second half looking better! ________________________________ For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968 May 23, 2012 Job Postings Take Turn Down After Good Week Prior – Market Very Inconsistent – But some good news for second half 2012 (Albany, NY, May 23, 2012) – Post postings took a turn downward by close to 400, dropping from 1996 to 1593 – a significant decrease and right during the week that recent college grads are likely returning home to find work. “It appeared that we were on the upswing but again like many months this year, that fizzled. Postings in the 1600 range are quite low for the area as well and far below the baseline of a good market of 4000 postings”, stated Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. So what does all this mean? “There is a lack of consistency likely the result of a lack of confidence in where the economy is going. That causes employers to put the brakes on hiring. This is the same situation we saw in 2010 – it seems to be repeating”, continued Moran. Moran added that the second half of 2010 was much stronger for jobs than the first half of 2010. In 2011, the market was stronger in the first half, and fizzled away in the second half. Some good news – and tip for job seekers “Market forecast for the second half of 2012 are much stronger than originally anticipated and could signal a better job market. Careerbuilder.com is reporting that 24% of employers are planning to hire in 2012, with the majority of hiring in the second half. “This is why it is so important for job seekers to continue looking aggressively in the summer months – it is no time to put your resume on the shelf and don your flip flops”, recommended Moran. Other markets in NYS saw declines in the number of job postings as well. 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. In 2012, his firm will celebrate 24 years in business. 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 Celebrating 24-years of helping others in 2012! 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, May 20, 2012

The process of Career & Life Defination ...

“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.” – Karen Ravn Defining career and life – heck, that is what our parents did for us – right? Sadly, in many cases yes. I recently met with a woman who was in nursing – a fine and in-demand professions – who admitted that she really never liked nursing, but her father told he it would be right for her. Or the son of an attorney who “pushed: his son to law school – and he never had any interest in law. And the stories go on and on. Fast forward to today and the reality of the career marketplace. You have choices – many choices – perhaps too many choices – if you can open your mind, dream and visualize possibilities. The market of today provides opportunities to change, redefine and adapt to an ever changing market fueled by technology, innovation and changing social norms. So you can change with it – when you understand the process of life & career definition. It isn’t defining the job you want to be in by the commonly known Big-Four Factors: 1. Money 2. Moving up in an organization or having your own business 3. Having power or more responsibility 4. Being able to retire – early – to do what you really want to do These factors are important. However, defining career & life is beyond these four known factors and looks at you in a bigger, more holistic picture of where you are and where you want to be. Defining career & life is evaluating and finding answers to: Defining Your Goals – Where you want to be from a total person picture. Not just money or status – but achieving goals that will make you smile and know you are doing good for yourself, your family and community. Your goals may include health, financial stability, having flexibility, being a leader and so and so. Defining Your Life – This is a big one. Visualize you are at your own funeral and people are talking about you – what do you hope they say? Do you hope they say that you could always be counted upon, that you were good to your word, that you lived life to the fullest, that you wore a smile every day? That you were happy, purposeful and compassionate? There are the factors important in defining your life, and it is critical to begin writing your “funeral speech” now by living your life as you wish it to be defined. Defining Your Values – As a world, we have been shaken by the acts of terror, the financial collapse and other every day terrible events. In many cases, this has been a wakeup call, and a call to live life by the values important to one. Values are our fundamental beliefs and include honesty, integrity, compassion, courage, honor, responsibility, patriotism, respect and fairness among many others. Defining your values in life & career will steer you to what is right for you to do if it aligns to your values, and what you should not do if not in value alignment. Defining Your Give Backs – As you structure the picture of your life & career, visualize and commit to ways you can give back – to yourself, family, community, the world, etc. Giving back is a return to those who have helped you – your family, community your God or others – and is an important consideration in this process of defining your life & career. When you can measure it, define it and visualize it, you are in the position of managing it and being it – that being your life & career. You have embarked on a critical step. Reward Yourself! And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Job Market Report May 17 2012

A nice pick-up this week - sights of improvement? _______________________________________________________________________________________ For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968 May 16, 2012 Job Postings Take Turn for the Better with an Increase (Albany, NY, May 16, 2012) – Post postings took a turn for the better, increasing over 200 this past seven days for the period prior, certainly good news. “Job postings came in at 1996 for the last seven days, up from 1763 the week prior, a nice increase and perhaps a sign of some renewed confidence in the market” , stated Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. “ This is also good timing for recent college grads returning to the area in search of jobs. They will see a bit stronger job market which will be helpful”. Other markets in NYS saw declines in the number of job postings, especially the metro NYC market which has had a very difficult past few months with postings being way down from last year’s levels. 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. In 2012, his firm will celebrate 24 years in business. 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 Celebrating 24-years of helping others in 2012! 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, May 13, 2012

You need a clear vision to travel to new heights in your career …

You need a clear vision to travel to new heights in your career …We are limited, not by our abilities, but by our vision.” – Jonathan Swift, Irish Author and Satirist In the course of my practice, I meet new people each and every week who are in the state of flux in their career, sometimes caused by things good, sometimes not good. One common need I see in all – they need a vision of where they are going so they can proceed. Some may call vision direction, or a plan – it is all the same: Having a specific and concrete vision of how you want your future shaped, what you want to do on your terms and how you will measure your success. Sadly, many go through their career without a vision – they just do their job. They are not motivated, have little passion for what they do and just go by day-to-day. That is no way to live when there is an alternative, if one will just open their eyes and see their vision. I tell many of my clients – looking for a job isn’t that difficult with technology today – but without a clear vision, the task is daunting if not impossible. Having a clear vision is the roadmap to take you from where you are today to where you want to be – somewhat of a GPS of your life. Without a clear vision of the goal, situation or value you want to deliver – really anything you are pushing for – you cannot see it, and when you achieve it, you won’t realize it. Sound like you? What do you do? • First, commit – commit to making a change in your career life for the better which will have a positive impact on all part of your life. This is the toughest step for sure. I know I hammer this over and over again – it is just so critical. • Identify the ideal career or job situation for you – and write down the specifics. It might be setting, physical location, type of people you work with, type of work you are doing, compensation, etc. Just detail it and write it down – this is critical. Keep this “list” in front of you always, in clear view. • Identify where your ideal situation exist through research, networking, securing professional advice to help you if needed. Be open minded; ask questions; find the answers. • Create a clear vision statement for yourself – what do you want to be, what do you want to accomplish and then set metrics around your vision – timelines, measurements etc. • Reward yourself when you move through the steps above – hey, we are human – rewards work to push performance! Buy yourself something – take a few moments to savor your progress. A career vision statement is really "big picture" thinking. It should focus on what you want to aspire to -- and that should inspire you -- regardless of where you are now. A career vision statement opens your eyes to what is possible and gives you something tangible to move toward. Unlike a career or personal mission statement, which focuses on who and where you are now, a career vision statement is documenting a mental image of the future you. A career vision statement describes the absolute peak of where you envision yourself in your career -- not necessarily your current career, but the career you really want, the career that will completely fulfill you. What does a career vision statement look like? Some examples; notice how simplistic and direct: I will become a well-known and respected leader in the food industry, revitalizing the ways food is produced and marketed, making healthier products to help people live better lives. I will become a leader in my organization, helping transform it into an organization that respects all its stakeholders -- while at the same time being the best husband and father I can be. Clear vision provides clarity; without clarity, fear sets in and will stop most dead in their tracks. Don’t let that be you. Start thinking; start writing! And thank you for reading this. -Dan Dan Moran President & Founder Next-Act Career Management & Transition Specialists Celebrating 24 years providing career management services in 2012! 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, May 9, 2012

Still flat - but don't be discouraged - still good jobs out there ... _______________________________________________________________________ For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968 May 8, 2012 Job Postings Consistently Flat (Albany, NY, May 8, 2012) – Again this week, job postings were flat in the region at a time when we should be seeing growth. Postings were 1763 compared to 1714 the week prior. “We are clearly stalled with no growth. This isn’t positive news at all”, stated Moran, of Next-Act ( www.next-act.com ), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. Other markets in NYS posted similar results, up or down but generally flat. “This just isn’t Regionally – it is Statewide. 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. In 2012, his firm will celebrate 24 years in business. 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 Celebrating 24-years of helping others in 2012! 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, May 6, 2012

Don’t Lose – Fuel Your Mind while Unemployed

“The mind, once expanded to the dimensions of larger ideas, never returns to its original size”. Oliver Wendell Holmes Out of town this week so I am relying on a contributor I met some time ago to provide some very important tips to those unemployed who think, at times, that they may be losing their mind! Being unemployed is out of one’s element. The routine is changed, and one can become lonely. Brian Jenkins who writes for Brain Track.com provides some very pertinent and useful tips one can employed to stop the craziness which I have included here. Expand your mind – improve your skills One point Brian recommends is using your time unemployed to expand your mind and skills and he presents some very good links to programs in online learning. Many are free. What better way to use this time and prepare yourself for the market. Hope you enjoy. Back next week. And thank you for reading this. – Dan How to Keep Your Sanity While Out of Work and Job Hunting After losing a job, your source of income is gone along with your daily structure, personal work relationships, and, perhaps most importantly, your sense of purpose. You may feel as if you're on an emotional roller-coaster. You may feel frustrated and depressed, so what can you do? Here are some useful tips to help you keep your sanity while out of work and looking for a job: Volunteer: Volunteering boosts your self-esteem and overall level of satisfaction. Doing good for others provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Volunteering makes you feel better about yourself and it makes you feel useful. Additionally, volunteering combats depression because it keeps you from feeling isolated; it keeps you in regular contact with people. Volunteering also looks good on a resume and provides networking opportunities. Get some sunlight: According to a study by Gavin Lambert of the Baker Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, a sunny day can boost your mood. The study shows the brain produces more of the mood-lifting chemical serotonin on sunny days than on darker days. The study shows the rate of serotonin production in the brain is directly related to the duration of bright sunlight. So get outside every day! Go somewhere: It's easy to get depressed sitting alone in your house all day. Try to get out of the house every day - take a walk, go to a shopping mall, be among people. Physical activities: Aerobic exercises, jogging, and other physical activities help you to use up the excess energy produced by stress. Experts suggest at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Being active can boost your feel-good neurotransmitters called endorphins. Exercise also gives you important time away from worrying about finding a job. According to the prestigious Mayo Clinic, almost any type of exercise, from aerobics to weightlifting, can relieve stress. The Mayo Clinic also states that regular exercise can increase self-confidence and decrease the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. The Mayo Clinic goes on to say that exercise can ease your stress levels and provide you with a sense of command over your body and your life. Stick to a schedule:After losing a job, it's important to build and maintain a new routine. Go to bed and get up at about the same time each day. Treat your job search like a job - set a daily job search schedule. Overqualified?: Take a job you're overqualified for to make ends meet. The job also gives you something to do during the day, and it's just temporary. Consider also taking a part-time job you're over qualified for. Studies show it's easier to get hired for a new job while employed. People tend to define themselves by their job titles, but you are way more than your job. Focus on what you're getting from the job instead of what you're not getting. With most jobs there are things you can learn and skills you can develop. Support from family members and friends: It's easy to feel useless and depressed when your unemployed. You need to vent these feelings. The positive comments and encouragement you'll likely receive helps you cope with being unemployed. When you share your burdens, your problems are put in a better perspective and will seem less difficult. Unemployed people often feel a sense of isolation and loneliness; talk and socialize with your friends. Consider joining a job-seekers' support group. Learn something new: Challenge yourself to learn something new; meeting the challenge will keep you busy and increase your self-confidence. Take online courses: Taking classes gives you something positive to do, and they also enhance your resume. If money is a problem take free online courses from notable colleges. Through OpenCourseWare, many colleges and universities offers free access to courses taught previously. OpenCourseWare includes materials used in courses, suggestions for reading material, and lecture notes. Some classes include video or audio lectures. You can learn at your convenience. Here's a list of some of the schools offering free classes in a wide array of subjects: • Yale University • Utah State • UMass Boston • UC Irvine • Notre Dame Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers a large number of free courses. MIT's Sloan School of Business Management provides a large list of undergraduate business courses. The free courses allow you to gain knowledge and skills, enhance your resume, and do something positive with your free time. Also, when you're asked what you do for a living, you can say, "I'm looking for a job and I'm taking classes at MIT!" Think of being unemployed as a challenge. A lot of successful people have been unemployed. Take care of yourself, stay positive, and keep busy. Brian Jenkins writes about many different college and career topics for BrainTrack.com. He has contributed content to BrainTrack's career planning guide. Dan Moran President & Founder Next-Act Career Management & Transition Specialists Celebrating 24 years providing career management services in 2012! 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, May 2, 2012

Job Market Report May 2 2012

For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968 May 2, 2012 Better -- not great _________________________________________________________________ Job Postings Remain Flat; Market Continues to Appear Stalled (Albany, NY, May 2, 2012) – The job market in the Capital Region continues to remain flat this past seven days right in the midst of the time when we should be seeing stronger job growth given that this time of the year – March – June – is the prime recruiting and hiring season. Job postings are reported as 1714 compared to 1656 the prior seven days. Comparing to 2011, job postings in the region are down about 60%. “What we are seeing in our region is consistent with national reports that the job market and therefore economic growth has stalled. Other reports show that small business – employers with 50 or under employees – are the hiring machines today representing better than 50% of the jobs in the market, so that is a key tip to those in the job market – think smaller! Look at smaller companies – they are fueling the market and present excellent opportunities”, stated Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. “But a bit of good news – postings didn’t go down this past week, breaking a two-week down trend.” Other markets in NYS posted similar results, up or down but generally flat. Metro NYC continued to be way below 2011, by better than 70%. 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. In 2012, his firm will celebrate 24 years in business. 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.