Career Chaos

SMART NETWORKING VIA THE INTERNET

Everyone's talking about LinkedIn. What's that all about? After ignoring several invitations to join this online networking group, I finally did. And am I glad! All I can say is WOW!

Seventy-five of my closest colleagues and clients accepted my invitation to join me which now gives me the opportunity to obtain introductions to over 13,000 people - that's just from direct connections. If expanded to 3rd and 4th connections, the number skyrockets into the six figures!

LinkedIn provides me several ways to search for new industry contacts, old friends, job opportunities (if I was looking), and more.

The job search piece I find very interesting for any of the 75% of the USA's employees out there planning to jump ship this year. In fact, LinkedIn announced a new relationship recently that they forged with the Association of Executive Search Consultants - the global professional organization for retained executive search firms, representing over 4,000 search professionals in more than 70 countries. Anyone want a recruiter?

CAREER CHANGE IN MIDLIFE

It seems this year that all the major news magazines are focused on Baby Boomers, retirement issues, and life after 50. Rightly so, since this age group is the largest demographic in the workforce.

The first of the boomers turn 60 next year and employers are starting to worry who's going to replace them. Boomers, on the other hand, are starting to think about new career choices to take them into their 90s and beyond.

A recent article on this topic appeared in the July 25 issue of Business Week. Some interesting ideas here, but are they practical? You be the judge.

BURNED BY EMPLOYERS?

It's been an "employer's market" over the past few years. With job applicants glutting the market, employers have been overwhelmed with massive "stacks" of applications. They haven't had time to respond to all of them, even the ones they liked. This has caused bad feelings among job candidates - they don't understand why they have to use good manners while employers can get away with being rude.

Well, the worm has turned! Suddenly, certain companies are experiencing talent shortages and are having a difficult time finding qualified candidates. However, many of these same companies don't "get it" that they need to improve their manners. Job applicants are moving into the driver's seat. It's way past time for companies to start courting them.

I found an interesting article that explores this "flip" in employer-employee dynamics. You might even want to sign up to receive these free weekly Herman Trend Alerts.