Career Chaos

GREEN JOBS: WHERE ARE THEY?

If "green" jobs are the way of the future, where do you go to find one?

As more layoffs head our way and whole companies disappear forever, creativity is the name of the game as we position our strengths, skills, and brands to move into the new future of work.  "Green" jobs will play a huge role in the new work world - are you ready to make the switch?

Top 10 Green Jobs for the Future gives us an idea of what fields we may find ourselves working in soon. Can you see yourself fitting into any of these 10 jobs? What does your creativity tell you is the best way for you to take the "green" job plunge?

GOT LAYOFF FEAR? BEAT IT BY BECOMING PROACTIVE - NOW!

Web 2.0 offers many ways to job search beyond posting your resume to a job board. Networking still rules as the #1 way to get a new job, so take advantage of online tools as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and more to meet new people, spotlight your career knowledge and expertise, and make it easy for the hiring people find you.

“Job seekers have only scratched the surface when it comes to using Web 2.0 to assist their search. They are learning that simply posting resumes on job boards and responding to online help-wanted ads is not enough. During downturns in the 80s and 90s, there were several instances of job seekers parading the sidewalks with sandwich boards that contained their resume. YouTube could become the sandwich board of the new millennium,” says John Challenger, chief executive officer of the outplacement firm, Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Read the full article, "Job Market Outlook Grim for 2009" but keep in mind one thing - don't let yourself become a victim - take charge of your career now!

HOW TO BEAT THE BUSINESS BLOGGING BLUES

I think I've found a solution to the business blogging blues…you know, those days when you're faced with a blank screen, a blog that needs a post, and a brain that's really not sure your blog is getting good results anyway?

Have you ever had an argument in your head that goes like this:

• I know I should be blogging more often for my business or work or career, but I'm not sure what to say
• I know other people swear that their blog is a major source of leads...but why don't more people know about mine?
• My writing's not bad; maybe I should post more than once every two weeks?
• I can't seem to get my paragraphs formatted right...
• I probably should be splitting up my longer posts, but how do I do that?
• How do I get subscribers to my blog?

Well, unless you grew up on the Web, maybe you just aren't comfortable with blogging software and geek-speak. So if you're like me, and you need a little help with your business blog, here's a great learning system that's just been launched by Patsi Krakoff and Denise Wakeman aka The Blog Squad™.

The Better Business Blogging Training System

There are plenty of blogging manuals out there, but very few specifically address "business" blogging and break things down into clearly prioritized steps with tutorials and audio training.

What's different about this program? It's a comprehensive learning system. Lessons are delivered over a period of several weeks, giving you time to implement, practice, and learn before the next module is delivered. Cool.

And there are 3 entry levels so you can choose how much training you need:

Plan A: For do-it-yourselfers starting a business blog
Plan B: Intermediate level training including basic manual plus modules for better business blogging and writing persuasive content
Plan C: Get your blog set up by The Blog Squad™ and let them train you personally

>>Personally, I've experienced the training of The Blog Squad first hand. I was a student in their very first virutal training class in 2005. I know I couldn't have gotten started blogging without them. When it comes to using Typepad, they rock - they know it all - and they know how to get it across to the beginning blogger like I was just 3 years ago.

Today The Blog Squad has so much more to offer, and I know you can find the solution to any blogging problem in the Build a Better Blog ebook that's included with all three levels of training in the Better Business Blogging Training System.

If you're struggling with your blog or haven't started blogging yet, The Build a Better Blog Training System is the best place to start! A little bit of knowledge on how to do it right will change your blogging experience into something fun and profitable!

USE A BLOG TO POST YOUR RESUME

Tip for job seekers: Start a blog and post your resume on it to get found. Typepad even provides you a tutorial to get this done quickly and correctly. Do it yourself or contact a professional resume writer for assistance.

A TRULY "GREEN" JOB FOR SOME

I just read an article about landscaping that got me thinking about this as a possible transition position for some workers - especially those who've gone through layoffs in the construction field. Additionally, the spin-off jobs related to landscaping, such as in the retail sector, are also potentially hot areas.

"Landscaping Emerges as Sound Investment Amidst Recession" discusses "a new report just released by leading industrial market research publisher SBI, (that) provides an in-depth treatment of this under-investigated market." (While this article looks at "green" from a financial investment perspective, read this article from a career transition perspective.)

As this trend toward "green" continues to grow, start thinking about what you can do to plug into this new opportunity for job growth. Here's a tip if you are in the job market again: set up a Google Alert for "green jobs" and watch your email box for new career ideas. These times we're in demand creativity when it comes to your job - get that thinking hat on now!