Career Chaos

EXECUTIVE EXODUS

Despite the improving employment market, there are still a lot of unhappy executives out there. According to a recent survey of 147 employed executives by ExecuNet (executive job search and employment network), "67% are not satisfied with their current jobs – up from 55% in July 2005 – and of those who are not satisfied, 78% plan to change companies in the next six months."

What's up with that? I thought executives called the shots. Why are they so unhappy?

The survey gave five main reasons:

1. Poor company culture
2. Limited opportunity for advancement
3. Lack of challenge or personal growth
4. Compensation (not high enough? - come on!)
5. Boss is not a good match

Dave Opton, founder of ExecuNet, summed it up this way: "Companies have neglected retention for too long and now that the competition for talent is heating up, many are responding with too little, too late."

The executives that responded to this survey had been on their jobs an average of 6 years and earned around $171,000. (I repeat - compensation not high enough? - come on!)

My response to this survey is mixed. If executives are unhappy with the company culture, why don't they try to change it? At their level, wouldn't they have some influence? As for not getting along with their boss, in what perfect world are they looking to live? This survey just goes to prove that executives share the same job satisfaction issues as the people they are trying to lead.

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.

HOW LONG WAS YOUR JOB SEARCH?

Based on a recent ExecuNet survey of 122 executives, job search now takes 4.9 months, down from 6.8 months reported in January 2005. In fact, during the past 30 days, these executives have averaged 2.9 interviews. This has spurred executive confidence.

“The employment market has made a quiet comeback during the last twelve months,” says Dave Opton, CEO and Founder of ExecuNet. “As the growth in new job opportunities becomes more apparent, an increasing number of employed executives are starting to explore their options for advancement.”

After all the downsizing, restructuring, and cost containment of the past few years, "advancement" is a nice place to hang around for awhile. I wonder what qualities will rise to the top as those being sought most by hiring authorities.

What do you think? Post your comments to this blog.

You can learn about what the new world of work may ask of you by reading "Careers in Waiting," on the Abilities Enhanced website.

2005 JOB MARKET DATA

Executives are still optimistic that this year will be a good one job-wise, according to today's D-Business News (New York) that reports on an executive survey conducted by TheLadders.com.

The article reported on the survey's data, "Tampa has shown the most growth in the number of $100K+ jobs offered during the first quarter."

What do you think? Are executive jobs plentiful this year, or is it still hard to find a good position? Does it depend where you are in the country, or does it depend on a particular industry?

Your comments are welcome on this blog. I'd really like to hear them.

FIND A CAREER COACH

On this beautiful afternoon in Kansas City, I've been sitting on my patio with notebook computer and cold drink doing keyword research for my website - you see, keyword research is done for more than just resume writing. Anyway, since I've been blogging the past few months about career change, I decided to check out that phrase for frequency of use by Internet users.

WOW! I learned that about 350,000 search engine searches are done each month for "career change." What's the significance of that? You tell me! What makes a person search for "career change" on the Internet? (Post your comments here.)

My guess is people are seeking help with how to make career change happen as they don't know how to do it themselves. If that sounds like you, maybe it's time to find a career coach to help you figure it out. Just a thought...

UNWANTED CAREER CHANGE

Is your career over when you turn 50? Are you truly "over the hill" as the birthday banner proclaims? NO WAY! There are many options open to us - we just have to claim them.

Did you read the May 16 cover story of Fortune magazine? It screamed, "50 and Fired." Executives all over the U.S. sat up and took notice. Their reactions varied:

• Is my career at risk?
• Oh, so that's why I've been out of work for 18 months.
• What's the best franchise for me to purchase?
• I'm too old to make radical changes.

Ah, radical career change - just when we thought we could coast through the next 10-15 years. Change - that dreaded disruption to the status quo. "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" - really? How old is old?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN "WORK STINKS"

Are you part of the problem or the solution? Some think a "crisis" is brewing in the U.S. workplace with over 50% of all people unhappy at work. "Please Change That Stinking Job" explores which age group is most contributing to this movement.

I hope employers are listening to the cry of their employees. While different reasons contribute to worker dissatisfaction, feeing undervalued by their employers ranks right at the top. We all want to feel appreciated for what we do with 1/3 of our lives. What motivates you to do a good job?

CAREERS AFTER RETIREMENT

This working over 50 stuff is really hot! Last week MSNBC did a weeklong feature on planning for retirement including the types of work that those of us over 50 are doing.

Did you know that The Home Depot looks for older workers to hire? In "A Second Chance to Work After Retirement," NBC reporter Campbell Brown explores why companies are eager to hire mature workers these days.

EXECUTIVES WANT CAREER CHANGES, TOO

How long do you think executives stay with one company? According to a press release issued by the executive search firm, Korn Ferry International, one result of a their recent survey shows that 56% of the executives have worked at 4-7 companies over the life of their careers.

More amazing though, the survey indicated that 33% would change industries - WOW! a radical career change!

Interestingly, 4% said they wouldn't consider any career change at all. That says to me that only 4% were totally satisfied with their jobs. So, it looks like job dissatisfaction goes all the way up the ladder. How does that make you feel?

Read the entire article and let me know your opinion.

CHANGING CAREERS TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE

Looks like a trend going on - people changing careers to help other people. What's important about that? How about you - what do you most want to do? Take a look at how some made their dreams real and found ways to work their passions even if it meant going Back to School.