Career Chaos

JOB SEARCH FOR FEDERAL POSITIONS

Job seekers say they want more information on finding federal jobs, but don't know how to find it. The web site, Where the Jobs Are, has been updated for 2009. It's well worth the time to check this out - for both job seekers and career coaches.

The site is keyword searchable. It also offers tons of information on how to find U.S. government jobs for the next three years, job trends to be aware of, and resources you really want to have. I've bookmarked this web site and advise you to do the same.

CAREERS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Last week I attended the Career Management Alliance annual conference in San Antonio, Texas. So much talent in one place was quite the experience. Not only were long-time professional career management members present, but also attendees from military transition career centers. The job of translating military experience into terms easily understood by corporations and private industry is a challenging task. I applaud those working in that field helping our separating and retiring armed forces personnel enter/re-enter the traditional workforce.

There were many good conference speakers and presentations, but the ones that stood out for me were the opening keynote by Peter Weddle, "Work Strong: Career Fitness" and breakout session by Carol McClelland, "Plug into the Green Economy: A Field of Opportunities for You and Your Clients."

A few of Weddle's presentation nuggets included (some paraphrased by me):

• Workplace is seeing downsizing of structure, not just downsizing of jobs.
• Just as individuals are responsible for their health, they are responsible for their careers.
• The career ladder has been replaced with a career jungle gym.
• To be "qualified" isn't enough - must be "best qualified."
• Slide: "The Greater & Unspoken Danger: The Perceptions People Work With" - e.g, do a good job, & you'll advance up the career ladder

A few of McClelland's presentation gems incuded (some paraphrased by me):

• Green economy: ever-evolving & advancing at different rates in different industries
• "Green jobs are jobs that provide products and services which use renewable energy sources, reduce pollution, conserve energy and natural resources, and reconstitute waste" (White House definition)
• Green collar jobs = trades jobs, e.g., installation, manufacturing, distribution
• Green professional jobs = technical - hard science (research, engineering, IT) and non-technical - managment, finance, marketing, human resources, operations
• Find green jobs by "following the money" - the federal government money being invested into a greener economy

Interested in learning more from this conference? You may find tweets from conference attendees by going to search.twitter.com and searching for #careers09. I have some tweets there, too. Look for them - my Twitter handle is @KCCareerCoach.

JOB SEARCH METHODS: BLENDING THE OLD WITH THE NEW

In this time of using cutting-edge, online social networking (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) for enhancing our job searches, we sometimes forget about tried and true tradtional tools. Here's my favorite list of four must-read books for anyone engaged in a serious job search with links to their authors' LinkedIn profiles:

• The Job-Loss Recovery Guide - by Lynn Joseph, Ph.D.
• Knock 'em Dead - series updated annually - by Martin Yate
• Winning Interviews for $100,000+ Jobs - by Wendy Enelow
• Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1000 a Minute - by Jack Chapman

FIND THE BEST EMPLOYERS IN YOUR STATE

The search is on to find not only a job, but one with an employer that cares:

 http://tinyurl.com/cx5xro

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!

NO JOB COMES WITH A GUARANTEE

Are you in "hunker down" mode at work - just trying not to "make waves?" Afraid that the next layoff may snag YOU?

Now's not the time to act like an ostrich - but more like a bird of prey. Get proactive. If you like your job, find ways to become more visible in the workplace. Make yourself indispensible. Ask for extra work - get cross trained in various areas of responsibilities.

But if you feel like a seat warmer in your job or if you are burned out and can't bear the thought of taking on more work, then perhaps you are due for a career change.

What? A career change now? Yes! There are still industries that are hiring - you just have to find out which ones. Some fields (e.g., healthcare, security, some technology - to name a few) are needing new hires. You'll need to get answers to questions such as: 1) Will your skills transfer? 2) Will this new job pay enough? 3) Will you like the work?

But first find out if a career change is for you. Take a free assessment such as the one you find at www.CareerChangeSigns.com. This can be the first step to your wanting again to get up in the morning to go to work. You owe it to yourself to know if a career change is for you.

NEW JOB SEARCH TOOL

Want to cut down on the time it takes to search for leads and post your resume? Take a look at this cutting-edge, online tool that can help:

MyJobHunter.com

SIGNS YOU'RE DUE FOR A CAREER CHANGE

Remember when you first started your job? Everyone and everything was new, different and full of promise and hope. You were excited about all the possibilities and eager to get started solving the problems of your company.

Today, perhaps only a few years later, everything's changed. You may have a new boss, or new team members, at the very least. Systems have changed, perhaps company direction has changed, and you're beginning to wonder what you ever saw in this position anyway.

If any of this rings true for you, you may be ready for a career change. Want to find out if it's time for you to move on? Get my free report, "The Top 17 Signs You're Due for a Career Change and What You Can Do About It!"

JOB SEARCH SITE FOR OVER 40

Challenged at finding job opportunities if you are over 40? Check out this new job search site. It offers a lot possibilities: Jobs 4.0. I'm interested in your feedback.

CAREER MEGA SITE

Need a place for some career self-help? Check out Quintessential Careers for lots of resources and advice. Enjoy!