Thursday, June 28, 2012

Job Market report June 27 2012

Up -- then down ...
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For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968

June 27, 2012

Job Postings Drop after Two-Week High

(Albany, NY,  June 27, 2012) – After two weeks of stronger job market activity with job postings just about 1800, postings dropped to 1622 in the region for the past seven days, not unexpected. “We are seeing the slowdown normally associated with a holiday week in the near future which is next week, so a drop isn’t unexpected but it began earlier as I watched day-to-day results. It would have been a stronger sign if postings held their two week high previously, but this market is still not strong”, commented Dan Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

“Throughout the Spring and now into Summer the market has been week, not only here in the Capital region but across the state as well”. Other markets in NYS were down as well. The Capital Region still outpaces Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, all larger markets with more employers and 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. 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


Sunday, June 24, 2012

CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD: WHAT IS BROKEN


"You can expect what you inspect”. – W. Edwards Deming

Last week I wrote about focusing on what isn’t broken in your life and career and the importance of being positive and enjoying the values you have experienced and continue to experience.

‘But of course, I cannot be Pollyanna and assume that there are no things in your life and career that are not working – or broken – and need to be fixed. Not addressing these – at least the most important ones – can derail your desire and efforts to grow and succeed. So this week – let’s look under the hood again – but focus on fixing what is broken.

The start – identify what is broken or not working.

Could it be…?

You are not satisfied in what you do …

And this is negatively affecting your home life and/or relationship …

You don’t find the energy in  your job or career that you once had …

You have grown apart from your company …

You have grown apart from your industry …

Your industry is not growing …

Your industry is shrinking …

Your values have changed …

Your career or job does not align with your changed values  …

Your interest are changing …

You are not happy …

You feel you can do more …

You want to make more money …

You don’t need to make as much money (common in the later years when needs change) …

… and the list can go on.

So now it is time to be true to yourself. It is time to make a list of those things that you feel are broken in your life and/or career – because they are so intertwined.

And you need to be honest – blunt honest – and that may be painful. You may also need to get the feedback from a trusted advisory, spouse or significant others. They may see things that are broken in you that you do not see.

Many years ago, I was in one of my runs as a senior executive (had a few of these) of a company with about 1400 employees. I was 32 years old with huge responsibilities and responsible for a sales budget of $35 million annually. I was making gobs of money and I was put on the pedestal in the company.

But something was wrong and I really didn’t see it. But my wife Vikki did. She saw the changes and the yearnings to be in a different place. I didn’t. I just knew that despite the money and the stature, I was not happy. That is when I embarked on my own business, with a young son, mortgage and more – I struck out on my own, and I may not have done it if it wasn’t for the wise counsel of my wife. This is why it is important to engage others in this analysis.

Let’s create the Do List – Things to Fix

It’s like having the “honey do” list for around the house – those things that are broken and need to be fixed.

Please take out a piece of paper  and put at the top:

My Do List: What is Broken

Then, in no rank or priority, start writing down what you or others see as broken in your career and/or life that you can control and change.

Writing down that The Economy Sucks won’t have any value to you and will be a wasted thought. You can’t singlehandedly change it unless you aspire to the Oval Office – and then I still wonder! Writing down Start the day with a positive thought – now that is actionable and in your control. Get the idea?

Keep going until you have to think for more than 3 minutes to come up with the next item. If it talks you longer than 3 minutes, it likely isn’t critical

Okay – you there and ready?

Now like any coach would recommend, you need to prioritize the list by a very simple ranking system: A-B-C:

A: Must be fixed as it is something that without resolve will not allow me to move forward. Examples of this would be health, impending financial disruption in life, broken relationship, addiction, etc.

B: Critical but not inhibiting you from moving forward. Important however to achieve your plan. Examples of this would be dissolving industry, poor relationship with your current management, poor or marginal performance in your own business, pressure at home, pressure from others you respect, etc.

C: Important but not critical. This would include things such as need to update resume, improve networking if you have not been networking, commute, salary issues (unless you are facing an A – financial disruption), etc. They are important, but they can wait until the other broken issues are resolved.

So, at this point you have your list written down and prioritized. Now, prioritize each issue you prioritized as an A (n Must be fixed) numerically with 1 being the most critical and important and going down from there: 2, 3, 4 5, etc.

You have now identified the top three or more critical issues to fix as part of this journey. Focus on the issues in rank order, finish the A’s and then on to the B’s and C’s. Keep your list up to date, keep it in view always. Share it with those close to you.

It is not rocket science – it is just the basics – I am hoping you are learning this. 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

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Job Market Report 6 21 12


A little good news here!
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Job Postings Continue at 1800 +

(Albany, NY,  June 20, 2012) – Post postings stayed at 1800 after the prior week when we saw a 12.5% increase the previous seven days. “Weeks prior were anemic at best. Perhaps employers have shaken the doldrums we saw for several weeks prior and are beginning to hire”,  stated Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

Other markets in NYS were flat with the exception of Buffalo NY which saw a marked increase in job activity. The Capital Region still outpaces Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, all larger markets with more employers and 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. 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.


Sunday, June 17, 2012

Check under the hood -- for what is working ...

“Finding the right work is like discovering your own soul in the world”. - Thomas Moore

A few weeks ago I wrote about attitude and the power of a positive attitude. I heard from some who told me "... yea, good advice. How do you be positive in today's world, our economy, etc. ... "

Not everything has to be broken and not be in order. There are thinks in your life and career that are clicking on all cylinders, going along fine, keeping you motivated and certainly need to be fed and tendered, but not fixed.

Recognizing these is very important as this provides to you the motivation to continually move forward in your plan and journey as you can look at what you have created – what is not broken – and smile. And that makes you feel good.

Some may call these blessings like I do. Some may call them by some other name. What you call them makes not a difference – the fact that you recognize them is most critical.

Should you write down your blessings – the things that make you smile?
What do you think I am going to suggest – yup. And then when you need a pick-me-up – look at the list, reflect on it, enjoy what you read, and use this positive spirit to pick yourself up, push forward and persevere.

It works. My list:

 The pictures of my grandchildren on my laptop …
The picture of my wife in my office …
The beautiful home we have …
The several thousand LinkedIn network contacts I have …
Our family …
Our role in the community …
My “local brand” in the Upstate NY market. …
The people I meet in the course of doing business - many who become lifelong friends ...
... and on and on ...


These are the things in my life not broken that I look at and smile. What are yours? What makes you smile?
Appreciate the good things in life. Don't dwell on the bad

“Happiness, like unhappiness, is a proactive choice." -Stephen Covey

It is so easy to dwell on the bad. The news makes it difficult to see what is good about today. People tend to be down. They are in the trap of looking at their situation as being half-empty, not half-full.

Don’t dwell on what is bad – dwell on what is good. Look for the good in others and your situation, and not the bad. It works. Try it. Do it today.

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

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Job Market Report 6 13 12

Finally - a turn a bit for the better .. let's hope this continues. ____________________________________________________________________________________ For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968 June 13, 2012 Job Postings Shoot Up 12.5% Over Prior Week (Albany, NY, June 13, 2012) – Post postings increased by 12.5% the past seven days after a few weeks of anemic results indicating perhaps that employers are beginning to gear up for the summer and hiring to fill vacancies for summer help. “ While it is difficult to tell, some of these jobs may be seasonal and this spike is consistent with previous years which is overall good news for sure for those in the market”, stated Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. Postings for the past seven days in the Capital Region were 1801, up from 1595 the week prior. Other markets in NYS increased as well. The Capital Region still outpaces Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, all larger markets with more employers and 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. 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, June 10, 2012

Making that first move from motherland to the real world: Succeeding in a job … Advice you can share

“When you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it.” – Theodore Roosevelt Over the next few weeks and months, many will be starting in their first job – be it for the summer, the first opportunity after graduation from college or high school, or other situation. It is truly an exciting period, and at the same time, scary as hell. Work is so different – the rules are different and the expectations as well. Making that critical adjustment – or better yet – transition – from home/school to work will define the success of one in their career. So how can you – Mom, Dad, sister, brother, uncle, aunt, grandparent, friend – help? Set them on their way with sage advice. No – not just to wear clean underwear or show up on time (BTW, so critical – one minute late is like an hour – make sure they know this), but rather, the norms of behavior and conduct that will set them up for continued career success. I remember so well – and this was over 40 years ago – my wife’s father Vito Pitanello who has had a profound effect on our lives (he passed so early in life at 55) telling me: … Never undermine your boss … Work harder than the next guy … Always have a shine on your shoes (yup – still do that every day) Those pearls of wisdom stayed with me throughout my life. You can share pearls with one to help in their transition, and I have included some ideas to share as follows: Check entitlement at the door – I know it is curt, but so true. Many have a sense of entitlement and when projected in a new job, it can be career ending. Teach others that they are only as good as what they did today – not yesterday or any other time – and they have no entitlement and should not expect that. If any tip I offer is to be deemed most important, it is this one as this is a huge problem in Generation Y (born 1982 thru 2003). Mind Your Manners – Be Respectful – Always – Remember to smile as you encounter a fellow worker and especially a customer. Remember the golden words: Please and thank you. Treat others with respect always – and call those out who are not being respectful, directly and politely. Listen – Listen - Listen – Learn the New Person Role: Shut up and listen before you offer advice or commentary. No one likes a person who walks in, knows nothing, and begins to tell others how they should be doing things differently. Learn first – then talk! Observe – Every place of work has a culture – the manner in which people communicate and interact with others, conduct their business, serve the mission and project themselves to the outside community. Carefully observe this and know what is expected of you as you engage and become a part of the culture of your new workplace. Don’t be part of the grapevine – Gossiping about others or the workplace is a career killer. Don’t get entangled in the grapevine – the “underground” communication that is usually harmful and full of garbage. Align with those in the workplace who can help you or you can help and where you have shared interests and values. Be positive – align with positive people and shared values. Play the Role and Live by the Rules – You are in new waters now and the rules are different and how you play them, critical. Your schedule is dictated by your job; never be late without a damn good excuse; never be late for a customer. Show up dressed for work, not the beach (learn the dress code too). No texting means that – no texting! Put your phone out of sight. Annoyed by text messages in work? try a text auto responder with a message like” Hi – I am working an cannot answer your text. If this is an emergency, CALL ME at XXX-XXXX. Best yet, free (paid version $1.99): https://play.google.com/store apps/details?id=com.jmarstudios.txtautoresponder.android Deadlines mean just that – do it or be dead – Okay, maybe not dead, but certainly not favored if you miss deadlines. Meet – no beat them – and show your commitment. Write it down – Oh please – don’t commit a responsibility to memory – write it down. Ask questions to clarify. Know what is expected of you. Never assume you know it – be sure you know it. If you are observed writing a task down, your boss and others will feel that you get it – and not wonder if you were listening. Be proud – have fun – You made it – you got your job if only for the summer or a few years if starting out, Be proud of what you have accomplished – and celebrate! I hope these ideas and tips are helpful in guiding someone along during this life transition. And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. ~Winston Churchill The news from Friday about the state of the national job market was devastating, dismal and the worst, panicking. Clearly our economy is still “broken” even after the trillions pumped into it. This is and will be the issue for the next 180 some odd days until the election and we will be hearing about it day by day. The real effect isn’t what happened in May with only 69,000 jobs created or the readjustment to March and April downward. That is history and you cannot change, only learn, from history. The effect is on the minds of employers with hiring needs, and to those in the job market looking for a job or thinking about doing so. What sets the course for the future is what we do now, not what happened in the past. One cannot live in the past and in fear of it, as it holds you back. You need to look to the future, put this bad news behind you, and reach your goals. The tough economic news should have no effect on your plan – none whatsoever – and here is why. When there is poor financial news like we have seen on Friday or for the last months for that matter, employers panic as well, and they hold back on hiring decisions. The unsettled stock market, European debt situation, news on our economy which has not been positive all causes negative energy that leads to uncertainty and then, sadly, lack of forward action and growth – and that means jobs. In my 24 + years of being in this business and three recession (no wonder I am gray!), I have witnessed this over and over again. The result? Job postings drop in numbers (been happening all 2012). Jobs get put on hold after active recruiting (hearing this every day). Plans to expand the workforce are put on hold. All not good for those in the market. So here you are - unemployed and actively looking, underemployed and looking to improve your situation or seeking your next opportunity to grow and work in a manner you are passionate about. • Do you put your resume (and your plan) on the shelf until it gets better? • Do you curl up in a ball in the corner panicked and cry? • Do you “go negative” in mind, spirit and in the manner you communicate to others? • Do you (---fill in the blank)? No – No-No-No. You do just the opposite – you push harder when others likely will not. In business, when a company slows, their competition pounces on them and eats their lunch. It is true – you snooze, you lose. In this current situation, many will snooze – they will slow and stall their search efforts giving you a better opportunity to win. I have seen it already in some of the surveys I run as well as comments I see from those in the market – it has been happening and will be happening more. How to win? Get out of the pity pool – No time for that. Yes the news isn’t good, our economy is broken but you and I can’t change that today – that’s for Washington and the electorate to change. Dust yourself off, put past behind you, and move – no surge – forward with new found gusto. Wipe off the sad face – shine by being positive - VERY important. You are as one perceives you and perception becomes reality. If you look down you are down in their eyes and not strong. Be positive, shining and engaging and you will make an instant strong connection. Hang with others who share your like mind – positive – and put the negative Nellie’s on the shelf for now – they will bring you down. Set goals – to grow – Have a goal to meet five new people per week (that’s networking)? Make it ten. Have a goal to apply to five jobs? Make it ten. Have a goal to identify 10 companies you would like to work for? Make it 15-20. Measure your efforts – celebrate wins – little and big - Setting goals is one thing – measuring your progress is another. Write your goals down, and keep them right in front of you – not on your computer or your phone – but square in front of you, always. Seems over the top? Take my word – it is important and it works. As you achieve a goal – like making ten new contacts in a week rather than five – celebrate. Do something for yourself or help another. It is all about attitude and you control yours 100%. Don’t let others try to control it for you. WIN! And thank you, as always, for reading this. - Dan