Sunday, August 19, 2012

Discovering – then following your passion ...


Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” - Confucius

Over the past few months, through our travels and visits to local farmers markets and local shops, we have met a number of  local providers of goods and services who  make our lives better in some way. Many are in the business of farming – providing specialty crops that we all enjoy and long to savor in the summer and fall.  I have talked to many of these folks in my journeys and am struck by one thing:

The passion they have for what they do …

Farming isn’t easy at all. The hours can be endless, the business challenges (keeping cash flow alive) and throw in the unpredictable factor – the weather – and it makes for a very difficult business and living. Some of those in this business hardly make a dime, and struggle to make ends meet. But they go one, with a smile, as they are living their passion. They were willing and often anxious to adjust their lifestyle to do work they are passionate about.  And even with all the challenges,  they could not see themselves doing anything different. 

Having passion for what you do defines the difference between just having a job – or loving your job. Those who are passionate about what they do are energized and motivated each and every day and look forward to work in whatever manner they work (in a job, their own business, etc.). Their passion fuels their desire to be the best – the very best – and do good work. 

Are you following your passion? If not, it is time …

You have likely heard the quote above:  Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” (Confucius). It is so very true. Unfortunately most do not follow this path, and toil in a job, career or business they just don’t like or are not motivated by. This discontent affects all parts of their life, their significant other, spouse, friends, other family, and is so damaging.  They cannot see how to get out of the cycle which really means – 

They have not  given themselves permission to make the changes in their life required to follow their passion.

Sound like your situation or the situation of someone near and dear to you? What can you do?

  • Identify and validate your true passion – Maybe you love to cook, or like to help others or perhaps to build things or grow things. Answer the question – I am passionate about (enter passion here) and I know there is a need or opportunity that I can identify with that is aligned to my passion.
  • Take me for example. I am passionate about helping people break the conventional bonds of career or job and ascent to new heights in their life. I know there is a need (I have a very successful practice in this business) and what I do is aligned to my passion. I don’t work every day; I serve others everyday and love it. 
  •  
  • Identify the changes you will need to make in your life to follow your passion –Perhaps being able to follow your passion may mean to downsize to meet a new set of requirements, or start a business aligned with your passion while still employed (which equals working harder). The key – uncover all the potential changes and plan for they with the goal of eliminating the unexpected. 
  •  
  • Give yourself permission to be happy and fulfilled – As I have stated, the hardest step. Allowing yourself to let go of what is expected of you by others, and taking control and defining your life as you want it to be. Once you give yourself permission – and write it down – you remove the shackles. 
  •  
Live your passion. Soar to new heights. Be one that is happy and fulfilled. Live life, and thank you for reading this. – Dan

Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act:
Career Management & Transition Specialists
Corporate Management Services
Celebrating 24 years providing career& corporate management services in 2012!
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Phone: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com
Visit the Assessment Center: next-act.com/assessment-center.cfm
Manage Performance & Achievement: next-act.com/prescriptive-performance-analysis.cfm




Thursday, August 16, 2012

Job Market Report 8 15 12

Holding consistent - that is good!
________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate release

Aug 15, 2012

Job Postings Consistency Continues – Very Slight Decrease Last Seven Days

(Albany, NY,  August 15, 2012) – The third quarter of 2012 is what analysts predicted – a stronger job market than the first two quarters. Job postings in our Region have been consistent and at a higher level than we have seen since the end of last year. Postings in the region were 1788 compared to just over 1800 the prior seven days. “My advice to job seekers – don’t wait until Fall to ramp up your search, do it now when jobs are at an increased level”, stated Dan Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

Moran continue, “Many take the summer off from job search thinking, falsely, that there are fewer jobs in the summer. No so and really never has been that way. The quarters of highest hiring by employers in our region is the second and third quarters – or right now”.

NEW – How many job postings are there in the United States today? We will be watching this nationally going forward.

As of 8/15/12, there are 567,247 job postings in the market. The top five areas for the most jobs per capita: San Jose, CA, Washington DC, Boston, MA, Raleigh, NC and Oklahoma City, OK. There is one job posting per unemployed person in each of these markets meaning the market is much less competitive.  

Other markets in NYS were up very slightly the past seven days. 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.com
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, August 12, 2012

So you have been out of college for about 8-weeks now – have a job yet?


“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction”.  – John F. Kennedy

I think I know the answer in many cases – it is no. Upon graduation from college and perhaps returning home from campus, a critical and sometimes difficult transition occurs. No longer do you have the freedom you may have had living on campus, and now there are new “rules”. Your social network has changed and your day-to-day life activities have as well. What does occur is many in this situation put off “reality” for a bit, opting to adjust and transition.

It’s okay and expected. But it is also time to get into action and embrace reality by looking for a job – the right job – that aligns with your personality, interest, skills and education.  We will soon be entering the Fall season and that is a very active time for hiring. Some of your friends may be returning to school very soon as well. So rather than put it off, engage now!

So you agree and your next question – “… but where are the jobs?”. I was recently approached by Shanna Houston from collegestarts.org who asked if I wanted to share what I think is an excellent article and information with our readers, The 10 Industries Attracting Our Top Young Talent. What great timing. The article presents industries where there are significant growth opportunities now and for the foreseeable future, with justification as to why. If you have been unsure of your direction, I am confident this will help.

But before I share the article … a question …

Are colleges providing the support and direction to students on finding their ideal course of study? 

 I am really not sure at all. Back earlier this year, I was in conversation with Dr. May Hawkins of Bellevue University in Bellevue, NE. Dr. Hawkins suggested to me that she felt colleges were not meeting the needs of students in guiding their academic selection that will ultimately lead to their career. I agreed at the time, and as I write this today, I strongly agree. Never before, in my 24+ years of practice, have I met with so many recent college grads, with degrees in hand, clueless as to their direction. The grad with a degree in education who has no interest in teaching. The biology major who admits that biology is boring. They come to me with the urging or support of their parents who want them to be happy and successful. My job – explore the options, motivate them to redirect their career as required and give them permission to accept that perhaps their academic selection was dead wrong or misguided.  If they had been given the guidance in their college years, perhaps this would not happen. The good news – it can be righted and corrected.

Enjoy the article, And thank you for reading this. – Dan

(http://collegestats.org/articles/2012/07/the-10-industries-attracting-our-top-young-talent/)

Listening to experts, employers, and students, the current economic climate offers current graduates little in the way of job opportunities. With an overall unemployment rate of 8.1% at the time of this writing, a kernel of truth certainly sits at the center of this grim statement, but not every industry is necessarily closed to up-and-coming workers. Most have obviously taken a hit, but still consistently court and appeal to the younger set, rendering them safer (though not necessarily guaranteed) bets for graduates. In no particular order, the following industries have recently proven themselves something special for America’s promising new employees.
  1. Finance:
Yes, despite the muddy-at-best economy, positions in investment banking, hedge funds, and consulting still make the young’uns drool. David Brooks with The New York Times explored this phenomenon in May 2012, citing informal talks with Stanford students and recent graduates as an indicator of the appeal. Not only is the money right, they also consider these highly competitive Wall Street (or wannabe Wall Street) positions exactly what NGOs and other poverty-fighting initiatives need … eventually, anyway.
  1. Accounting:
Money talks, and the accounting industry proves that recent graduates are no mimes (thanks for the figurative language, Electric Six!). Like the closely related finance sector, the industry appeals to relevant majors thanks to a comparatively generous average starting salary — $50,402, according to CNN — and the fact that taxes are pretty much the only certainty in life beyond death and heartbreak doesn’t hurt matters, either. However, employers do seek out applicants with experience, so make sure to work hard at finding an effective internship before graduation.
  1. Tech:
Of course! A Universum study polling undergraduates from across varying majors revealed Google and Apple as the top two companies with which they hope to score some sweet entry-level jobs, though business and tech students found them especially tantalizing. Their more youth-oriented marketing campaigns (not to mention the former’s legendarily laid-back, accessible, and fun office culture laden with perks) likely solidified their status amongst up-and-coming workers. Both startups and well-established tech corporations would do well to seduce the latest crop of graduates, as they came of age alongside the innovations being tinkered with today.
  1. Entertainment:
If you can’t have your 15 minutes of fame, you can at least surround yourself with those stapling your allotment to theirs. It’s easy to assume a culture inundated with celebrity obsessions holds sway over graduates’ professional desires, but reality adroitly trumps cynicism in this instance. Disney, one of the most sought-after employers among the recent graduate crowd (BusinessWeek named it a top company to launch a career back in 2006, and its popularity hasn’t waned much), and similar studios offer up opportunities to get creative and contribute to projects millions will adore. Many find the challenges of a constantly shifting project or assignment far more stimulating than some career paths.
  1. Social Media:
Facebook, specifically, as if there was any doubt in anyone’s mind. The Universum study ranked it as its 12th most appealing company for emerging employees, and its median age of 26 (not to mention generous job satisfaction rate) fully underscores this raging popularity. In fact, Technorati notes that the freedom to tool around on social media stands as a higher priority than raises among youthful workers. Why not eliminate the headache altogether and just try and score a competitive position serving the sites themselves?
  1. Engineering:
Despite an overall decline in available positions, the various engineering fields still serve seductive career options to America’s promising young grads. Tomorrow’s innovators respond well to job opportunities that harness their skills for the greater good of humanity (and science), and the National Academy of Engineering urges its members to highlight this potential for selling the major. Although the average starting wage for bachelor’s degree holders sitting at around $56,367 probably helps push matters toward the E in STEM just a little bit.
  1. Pharmaceuticals:
No, not the more popular brand of pharmaceuticals one finds on campus! With a degree in chemical engineering, medicine, biology, and other related fields, up-and-comers might want to pursue a career path developing drugs to keep the populace as safe and healthy as possible. According to BusinessWeek, they may very well hit the jackpot in Maryland, which boasts a median salary of $55,100 (6% higher than the average in the rest of America) and an exceptionally young cache of workers — about 48% of the industry there is composed of individuals in their 20s.
  1. Intelligence and Law Enforcement:
Universum saw the FBI and CIA rank as 13 and 26 on its list of ideal workplaces recent college grads hope to pursue, respectively. In fact, the former sailed in at number 11 on BusinessWeek’s Top 50 Employers for College Grads list. The kids flock to both organizations, as well as the Department of the Treasury and Department of State, out of a sense of patriotic duty and steady pay. Oh, and the whole wanting to be a super cool agent or spy, which really isn’t nearly as fun as TV and movies make it seem, by the way.
  1. Healthcare:
Many of the fast-growing, more available jobs Forbes touts as perfect for recent graduates involve healthcare outside a doctor or nurse role. Positions synthesizing technological prowess, like health information technology, clinical trials designer, geriatric health care, and even health and safety inspection are especially desirable, and offer living wages and opportunities to make the world a better place. Patients aren’t going to stop existing, meaning a demand will always exist for medical professionals, especially considering how more people now live longer.
  1. Social Work:
Forty-three percent of the social work industry, which encompasses everything from case work to nannying, is made up of professionals in their 20s. Like the healthcare industry, there will never not be a time when kids, teens, and adults need social workers at home or school, so there’s not nearly as much of a risk involved. BusinessWeek cites the District of Columbia as hosting the nation’s most active job market when it comes to social work opportunities for recent graduates, with a young workforce of 45%.

 

President & Founder
Next-Act:
Career Management & Transition Specialists
Corporate Management Services
Celebrating 24 years providing career& corporate management services in 2012!
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Phone: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com
Visit the Assessment Center: next-act.com/assessment-center.cfm
Manage Performance & Achievement: next-act.com/prescriptive-performance-analysis.cfm



Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Job Market Report August 8, 2012


This is good - consistency in the job market in our region!
_____________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate release

Aug 8, 2012

Job Postings Consistency Continues – Postings remain steady week over week

(Albany, NY,  August 8, 2012) – In a job market that has been dismal at best from national reports, here in the Capital Region, we have seen consistency in the number of job postings over the past few weeks signaling that we may be into a positive zone as forecasters have predicted. Job postings were at 1843 at the same level as last week, which is good. “This is three weeks in a row of consistently same results which is good. Postings were the same as the weeks before, showing that the market has leveled at a new high for the year, and that is good and what we want to see.  stated Dan Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

Other markets in NYS were flat the past week with little change in job postings. 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.com
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, August 5, 2012

Job Market Rots – Job Market Better – Job Market Rots Again – so what do you do?


Be yourself, take control of your life.” – Emma Bunton
 
The ups and downs are dazzling. I live them every day as I track the local job market daily and report weekly to the media. This past week, the NYS Department of Labor report showed that unemployment in the Region was at a 20 year high (NYS has only tracked since 1990). A few days earlier, in direct contrast, it was reported that private sector job growth had soared. So let’s see …

Unemployment at a 20-year high …
Unemployment has gone up each of the last three months …
Job postings are steady (that is good) but about 40% lower than last year at the same time (that is not good) …
National job growth has been terrible and about one-half of what is required to keep the national unemployment rate steady (hence why it is increasing) …
More people have returned to the market looking for work … That is good, I think …
Then Friday morning, a most confusing national jobs report that has many, like me, who track this, scratching our heads trying to make sense of it:

The economy added 163,000 jobs in July … Not bad as it could have been worse, but not good enough. We need 150,000 just to hold the unemployment rate at a level nationally…
But the unemployment rate increased yet again from 8.2% to 8.3% nationally …
The real unemployment rate that includes those under employed rises from 14% to 15% …
Junes jobs number was adjusted, from 80,00 to 64,000 – Really? That is a 19% “adjustment” …


Reading this one could say – “… oh the hell with it, there are no jobs and the market sucks” … 


Or one could be an opportunist --- “… ummm – all not good job market news so this is a great time for to jump in or search harder as there will be fewer looking” … 


The Malaise Effect ( defined as a general feeling of worry, discontent, or dissatisfaction, often resulting in lethargy) …

Many are caught or trapped in a malaise. They are worried, disconnected, concerned,  what have you, and they do nothing – they are waiting for something to change to get them out of it. And – this is dangerous to many. If we recall, a few years back when the economy began to tank, the same thing happened and millions of lives were upset through job loss et al. Many were caught unprepared and were whacked. As a country, our way of living was changed likely for many years to come.  Failing victim to malaise isn’t prudent; taking action is and that means change.


Change what you can change and focus on you …

The opportunist will win here. The opportunist knows that  they cannot control the economy, the job market, business conditions, the political environment  et al so why let that hold them back. Rather, knowing that many will shelve their search or not engage in a new search, they see a less competitive market and they double their efforts. More networking. More applications. More direct contacts. They create opportunities and they focus on what they can control  and change.
And while the market has been soft, over the past two weeks, close to one-third of my clients found new opportunities, and a few others are launching their own businesses. Not bad for a “terrible time in our economy” as I heard one news analyst state. The difference, they were opportunists. They shunned the doom and gloom and pressed forward. They had conviction – they gave themselves permission to be successful in spite of what others are telling them.

Looking ahead ...
The CBS6 CRHRA Next-Act Employment Index, which I conduct quarterly along with my partners at CBS 6 indicates that 35% /- of employers in our Region plan to hire this quarter. That is a piece of good news, and consistent with national forecasts.

You are the master of your own universe …
So take control Master.  Do not be led by others and their thinking – lead yourself to success. Put the bad news behind you and press on to the job, career or business of your dreams.
Sometimes we all need a swift boot in the butt to break out of a malaise. Maybe this helps.

And thank you for reading this.
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
Phone: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com


Friday, August 3, 2012

Jobs Report August 1 2012

Looking a bit better ---
_______________________________________________________________________________


For Immediate release

Aug 1, 2012

Job Postings Up Past Seven Days – Signs of Consistency

(Albany, NY,  August 1, 2012) – Job postings increased to 1900 this past seven days, up from 1763 the week before and also hitting 1900 for the first time since early May. “It appears that we are finally seeing some consistency in the number of job postings in the market and the 3rd quarter is looking to be starting stronger than the second quarter for sure, consistent with national forecasts. While still way below last year at this time by close to 40%, the signs are better that we may be seeing stronger job growth the next few months, when we really need it”,   stated Dan Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

Other markets in NYS didn’t have the same results, with flat or slight decreases in the number of job postings. 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