Job Market Report 11 14 13 --- A bit better and some consistency ...

For Immediate Release

For information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968  dmoran@next-act.com

Job Market Hold Steady – Two Weeks of Consistency

Albany, NY,  November 13, 2013) –  The job market has appeared to stabilize at lower levels but again, stable which is good overall. “ The national and even statewide market has dropped yet again this past seven days signaling growing concerns over employer confidence.  However, in our region, we have held steady while both statewide markets outside of the Capital Region have further declined”, stated Dan Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

In the Capital Region, postings were 1911 flat with 1989  the week before. Other markets in NYS were down significantly which shows  the resiliency in the Capital region. The Capital Region continues to still outpace Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, all larger markets with more employers and population.  

National Job Scene

Nationally the market continued flat with a very slight very slight increase to 520,547, compared to 515,250 the week before. “Postings nationally were well above 624,000 just a few weeks back on October 1^st”.  

  

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 2013, his firm will celebrate 25 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.

Dan Moran

President & Founder

Next-Act:

Career Management & Transition Specialists

Corporate Management Services

Celebrating 25 years providing career & corporate management services in 2013!

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

Learn to be a better employee by mimicking your children’s school week habits …

“A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.” Benjamin Franklin

Some of the best days Vikki and I have are the days when we have our grandchildren for an extended period of time, this time five days during the school week. We are amazed at the schedules they keep and the activities they participate in.  When we were both kids, our biggest concern was getting outside to play in the streets until the streetlights came on!

We both starting thinking about the lives of our blessed grandchildren and what it means to work and being a better employee, and it became clear – our children are developing the fundamentals of work in the conduct and “management” of their everyday lives. Many say work ethic is missing for many in the workplace – and in many cases I would agree. It must slip away in later teenage and college-age years. But for many – it is engrained for life – and we hope our grandchildren will see this.

In the words and actions of Olivia and Jackson Moran, we offer examples of early habits that can become - if continued  - a lifetime of preparation for strong work ethics. For example:

The importance of being timely – I watch Olivia and Jackson manage a daily schedule which makes my mind hurt! Precise to the minute, they stay on it – they are responsible.

Fitting In – The key to success in both the lives of a child and in work. If you do not fit in, school (and work) can be a tough run. Our kids fit in; their friends are truly valuable.

Always doing more – Not just going to school (or work) but being actively engaged and doing more, contributing more and becoming a “player”.

Managing your schedule – This was baffling. During the school day and after, they stay on schedule and they know what they need to do when. In work, it is the same.

Note Taking – “I’ll remember that” – and it doesn’t happen. Watch your children take copious notes on their school day activities and reminders.

Being Organized – The key to success on all life levels. If one is organized one is productive and in control. Our kids learn early on; it is important that they keep those habits.

Knowing the importance of a good night’s sleep – Our parents had to fight with us to go to sleep. Today’s children seem to understand the importance of a good night’s sleep and they seem to actually look forward to you. Studies prove over and over again – a good sleep allows the body and mind to function at 100%.

Eating healthy – My grand kids eat healthy (absent the breakout or two!).  They have balanced lunches and it makes a difference.

Having a strong work ethic – Our observation is that in order to get through a child’s school life, they must have a strong work ethic and this will hopefully, with guidance from others, continue. No one suffers from hard work; they grow stronger from it.

Rewarding after work (homework) is completed – Off the school bus, and to work on the homework – that is a strong work ethic. After homework is completed however, they reward themselves in some manner, a form of recognition.

Being respectful – We are blessed. Our grandkids are truly respectful and it comes from school and their parents. Early foundations of respect for others can be the foundation of life.

Having fun – One must have fun, and our kids to for sure. It isn’t just “fun” in the IPad or phone, but true fun – running, playing with the dog, busting on their Popi (me), all that makes us laugh.

Developing relationships (friends) – The relationships you develop will be, as one goes through life and career, your most important assets. They get this; they form relationships that they nurture and they are strong.

At time, we should look no further than the eyes of our children to see behavior, ethics and conduct that are examples of being a great employee or leader. Our role as role models and parents?  Keep what they learn in their early years engrained and part of their lives as they grow and develop.

Gotta go – school bus will be here in 3.5 minutes!

And thank you for reading this. I am truly blessed. – Dan

Job Market report 11-7-13 --- a little better!

For Immediate Release

For information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968  dmoran@next-act.com

Job Market Turns Corner For Better – Slight Increase Reported

Albany, NY,  November 6, 2013) –  The job market continued to be rather soft, not showing the growth we should be seeing this time of the year, especially with seasonal hiring. The good news – the market did not slide further back. Continued uncertainty over the Affordable Health Care Plan (aka Obamacare) still is weighing on the market and has been on the forefront of news and this trend likely will continue. “The market has turned a slight corner and is looking a bit better on all fronts, with the exception of NYC. There may be some confidence or just demand of seasonal hiring occurring that has caused the slump to stop – and that is good news finally after several weeks of caution”,  stated Dan Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

In the Capital Region, postings were 1989 up slightly from 1834 the week prior. Other markets in NYS posted similar results slight increases as well, with the exception of NYC.  The Capital Region continues to still outpace Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, all larger markets with more employers and population.  

National Job Scene

Nationally the market continued flat with a very slight very slight increase to 520.547, compared to 515,250 the week before. “Postings nationally were well above 624,000 just a few weeks back on October 1^st”.  

  

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 2013, his firm will celebrate 25 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.

Career & Life 2.0: Take a Career for a Test Drive – and see how it feels “on the road” …

“A mistake is not something to be determined after the fact, but in the light of the information until that point”  - ― Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Over and over again, I hear “…. And I daydream about doing x,y or z and it consumes my mind but I don’t know if x,y,z is right for me … what do I do”?

In theory, most think a career or even a job change is an absolute forever deal. It is not. People are changing careers 2 to 5 times in their working lifetime and most are only staying with a company from 1.5 to 3 years. That is it. Moving on is not forever; it is a passage in career time.

However, caution is prudent. In my practice, I talk with clients about changes in career and we evaluate specific options aligned to their life skills, personality, aptitude, temperament and of course, reality. We talk about the idea of one being in their own business – or not – if it doesn’t “fit”. 

But then it is time to make a decision (what I refer to as Commit) and take action (Give Yourself Permission). And that takes research and vetting. I just read an excellent article by Jacob Morgan, a contributor to Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobmorgan/) as well as The Muze (http://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/). In this article, Jacob recommended 5 Ways to Test-Drive a New Career which I have found so valuable in working with clients who are ready – aimed - and hesitate to take the leap. 

Morgan wrote, “Stuck in a cube, dreaming of freelance writing from a distant exotic island? Coming up with yet another PowerPoint deck, while desperately wishing you could devote your life to something that means more to you than someone else’s deliverables for someone else’s clients? I’ve been there, too. And I can tell you that it probably means you should consider pursuing another career path. That said, it’s hard to know whether the new job you have your eye on will be a better fit for you than the one you’re in. The “grass is always greener,” after all, and it’s easy to romanticize new avenues, thinking that moments of hair-tearing, heart-pounding frustration are exclusive to your current position”.

The article continued with five ways to test drive a career which I have summarized:  

1. Read and Write – Or in other words, do your research. With technology, there is a world of information at your fingertips and browser. Study up on a career or job, discover the good and the bad. Be open-minded. 

 2. Commit to the Hard-Core Informational Interview – After you complete your research and you are not ready to run the other way with your hair on fire, reach out and talk to someone who will be honest with you and is engaged in the same career. Ask what is good – and ask why people fail in this particular job or career – and be accepting of the answers. 

3. Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Careers – Try to shadow someone performing the same work. Find a person who will allow you to shadow them for a day and experience firsthand what is it like to work in this career. It is a shame not everyone could do this – would certainly weed out those not right for a job or career, and reduce turnover.

4. Freelance – One great way: do freelance work in a certain field to get a feel of the work. Normally this is completed nights or weekends (do not do this type of work during work hours for your employer – that will get you fired). It could be writing, managing a project or other work. You might even discover that you would prefer to do this for yourself in your own business and if so – go for it!

5. Get Creative about Your Income – If your new career endeavor or job will affect your income – or your personal cash flow – then plan now, get creative and find other sources to make money. You will feel better – and you can eat too! 

 You can dream – dream – dream and your dreams will not turn into reality unless you Accept you need change, Commit through actions (like those reviewed above) and Give Yourself Permission to do for yourself, grow, prosper, be happy and succeed. Arm yourself with information – and start your test drive NOW!

And thank you for reading this. – Dan

Dan Moran

President & Founder

Next-Act, Division of DVG, Inc.

Career Management & Transition Specialists

Corporate Management Services

Celebrating 25 years providing career & corporate management services in 2013!

125 Wolf Road, Suite #128

Albany, NY 12205

Phone: 518-641-8968  dmoran@next-act.com

Author: Accept-Commit-Permit: Three Essential Steps to Achieving Happiness & Success in Career (and Life!) ... Exclusively at Amazon.com: http://tinyurl.com/lluzsyd

Visit the Assessment Center: next-act.com/assessment-center.cfm

Manage Performance & Achievement: next-act.com/prescriptive-performance-analysis.cfm

Accept ... Commit ... Permit ... Then Achieve!