Your career can still thrive in an age of flux - Which Way Is Up?

Black Enterprise, Oct, 2002

Read the business section of the newspaper any day of the week and it hits you: Stories on layoffs, corporate bankruptcies, and stagnant raises topped by a volatile stock market are abound and would make even the most seasoned professional cower in fear.

"However, while challenging, this is probably one of the most exciting times in the labor market," says O. David Jackson, director of staffing at WebMD Corporation, a web-based, healthcare technology company located in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. "Companies are competing for the best talent. If you have the right skill set and can properly maneuver, then your chances are high that you will find the opportunity you want."

Keep A Finger on the Business Pulse

"Strong marketing individuals should look for companies striving to overcome embattled images such as transitioning dotcoms or small companies in a growth mode. Seasoned mid-level and senior managers are being aggressively recruited by companies that now realize that the management team in place may not be the team that is going to drive the company's growth, says Jackson who spent 13 years in the public and private sectors as a strategic human resources business partner. "Individuals with IT and niche skills are also highly regarded for project development and management roles. Sales professionals with a strong client list and the ability to get in the door and close large strategic deals are important to organizations focused on improving revenue streams."

Does your company's image support a job change? "Determine if your organization's reputation will serve you well down the road. Companies are always evaluating the competition and determining where they should seek out talent. Being associated with a company that is not highly touted might lie a disadvantage during a job search. If your company is not on the radar screen you need to assess your skills and upgrade accordingly to maintain your marketability.

"Stay tied into the information loop of your department, organization and industry," says Jackson. "Chat periodically with colleagues and external clients to keep up-to-date. Identify their `pain points' and try to offer assistance," says Jackson. "In addition, talk to executive recruiters and test your company's marketability. Not only will you get advance information about your firm and industry, but you may also open the door to a new resource when you are ready to move."

Remember, tried and true job search strategies do work: Go on informational interviews with people in the field or at a company that you want to enter. Expand your research to the libraries and the Internet. Then set your goals and devise a job search strategy. Don't forget, networking is still an important key to getting the job you want.

Make Networking A Career Strategy

Most human resource professionals agree that approximately seven out of 10 jobs are gleaned through networking and that your chances of finding a job is probably better with networking than with any other source. There are three basic elements to the process:

* Creating the network: Amassing that valuable list of names of people who can help you.

* Working the network: Calling your contacts, making appointments and visiting them with a distinct purpose in mind.

* Following-up: Regularly check-in with your network contacts and remind them of your career and job search efforts.

Aim to expose yourself to leads, industry trends, facts and more networking contacts. Each contact can possibly reap two to three more contacts. Remember, you must get the word out to as many people as possible that you are looking for a job and the type of job you are seeking, convincing them to keep their eyes open and spread the word.

Don't expect the network to go on automatic pilot. No matter what job search strategies you choose, follow-up and record keeping are important for success. Maintain a careful record of all interviews, thank-you notes sent, referrals made and follow-up actions. Failing to maintain this information may mean losing valuable contacts and credibility with prospective employers.

"Flip the script and step out of your comfort zone," adds Jackson. "Don't be complacent and wait for employers to come to you. You must be assertive and manage your career at the speed of business." Ultimately, the savvy professional, proficient in his or her field and in today's business technology with the wherewithal to follow-up and follow-through will thrive.

RDI-RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT INTERNATIONAL

Most of us today recognize the need to continually learn and improve ourselves in order to compete in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. However, work and family commitments leave limited options for many of us to gain the necessary qualifications. Unfortunately giving up work and going back to college is simply not an option.

Good news: There is a way. Distance learning is the most flexible way to study and gain qualifications without the need to leave full-time employment. But what does distance learning mean in practice? How does it work? Essentially, distance learning is designed so that students can devise their study schedule around family and work commitments.