Today is Job Action Day 2011, sponsored by Quintessential Careers and this is my second year as one of the participating blogs that was chosen to participate. Here is the full list of participating blogs for 2011!
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows 2.7 million jobs remained unfilled in the U.S. in August 2011, and employers are reporting having a hard time finding skilled workers to add to their payroll. Manpower’s 2011 Job Shortage Report confirms job applicants are NOT qualified for the hard and soft skills and intangibles companies need and are looking for in job applicants today.
The human world and the work world have shifted and changed. They are going to eventually find an alignment and become whatever the norm is for our time. As the generations continue to age out and up, consumerism will also change.
The full 2011 Talent Shortage Report is here. Take some time and read it. It will give you ideas, clues, calls to action and direction on what it takes to be skilled, qualified, sought after and appreciated if you want to be hired by a quality company today and secure your career future.
80% of jobs are NOT posted on job boards and are in the hidden job market, which we have heard before. The BIG difference now is that they are only accessible through networking and word of mouth. The networking now is in two equally important and mutually beneficial worlds, in-person and online. The blended use of both is the best, most effective and fastest way to find and make great connections.
Are you a player on the field and in the game?
Or are you on the sideline watching the game play out?
This skill gap developing and simmering for almost 10 years has finally emerged and reared its ugly head and it’s deep, wide and bad. The only person, place or thing that can change it is YOU. Don’t wait for corporate, the government, your county, alumni association or chamber to help you skill up and personally brand yourself.
Take control and command of your future, your career, your life and move it where you want it to go. Take the challenge, responsibility and get to work on you now, today!
There are so many things you can do to..
Up Your Game
Add Value to Yourself
Stand Out
The business, work and career world requires a much stronger personal and career brand
and much more aggressive branding activity.
Here is my 5-5-5 Plan!
5 Ways to close the Gap
1) Become highly relevant in your filed, industry and expertise.
2) Invest in skills education.
3) Become trend-savvy and smart.
4) Develop a leadership mindset.
5) Prepare to move fast and pounce on opportunity.
5 Activities to Up Your Game
1) Define your strong personal brand and launch a blog, website or splash page.
2) Invest in a branded business card or postcard.
3) Find an internship, mentorship or volunteer.
4) Join Toastmasters and work on your public speaking.
5) Engage more in social media marketing especially LinkedIn and Facebook.
5 Skills That Value Add
1) Chit Chat, sales and communication.
2) Versatility and being a team player.
3) Being articulate and speaking up.
4) Adaptability and flowing with change.
5) Attitude of positivity and good vibe.
What are you doing now and what are you going to do tomorrow?
Act as if.
Keep Moving.
Try different things.
Go out and talk to people.
Yes I can is your daily mantra.
These are radical times that require radical actions to get radical results.
We are all reinventing ourselves. Corporations and individuals must respond to rapid, relentless, constant change. It’s the norm and the great story of this moment.
What did Circuit City, Mervin’s, Borders, Steve and Barry’s, Ritz Camera, Blockbuster, Croc’s, Saturn miss in 2010-11?
Why are these The Top 25 Brands in 2011?
All of these companies applied and adapted their products and services to where the world is going and currently is. They uncovered new ways, created other possibilities and a new norm for themselves and most importantly filled consumers, customers and employee needs, pain and fears and wants.
Don’t give up. Forge forward. Job seekers and career changers need to think the same way these top 25 brands do. Yep, you are a business of one now, a career entrepreneur.
Be brave, courageous, adventuresome and flexible. Embrace change with curiosity. I did in 2006, when I voluntarily left corporate America and dove off the high board into my “next”. “What a gutsy move” they said especially for a Baby Boomer! I just was continuing my life and career journey. Many of them are still stuck in a rut or hoping the cheese will return. I moved on like Sniff and Scurry.
Spend some time on these 10 sites to recharge, rejuvenate, renew, inspire and educate yourself on the most relevant, current, important, useful and timely trends, data and information that will help you raise your career metabolism, develop that A+ game and make you more magnetic.
Quintcareers.com
Trendwatching.com
Smartbrief.com
SmallbizTrends.com
PersonalbrandingBlog.com
Careerealism.com
Interbrand.com
LinkedIn.com
Hoovers.com
BetterBusinessBureau.com
Business Insider.com
The countdown to your launch begins now!
Explore your possibilities and step into your breakthrough.
I’m cheering you on from the middle of the field!
