The Job Nobody Dreams Of

Job Retraining - Will it Help?

There has been a lot of news recently about "for profit" colleges...not much of it is good news. That's not to say that they are all bad or no one should consider going back to school if they've lost their job. It does bring up an important consideration though...assuming you can develop new skills by going back to school whether it's a traditional college or a for profit trade school...will it help you land a new job?

First, college never was the golden ticket that it was made out to be...especially if you are not crystal clear on what you want to do for a living. If you want to be a petroleum engineer like my second oldest son, then you absolutely need college. The flip side is how many people do you know with a college degree who currently work in a completely different field? A whole bunch.

These examples involve 22 year old just entering the workplace. What about a 43 year old father of 4? Does he really have the luxury of taking 6 to 24 months to get retrained? Obviously if he isn't working then he's got the time but that's also 6 to 24 months spent not looking for a job...that isn't guaranteed to be there when he is done retraining.

If you decide to change careers and get retrained then protect yourself by asking some questions first...even if the government is paying for it. Ask to talk with people who have already gone through the program. Find out how tough it is to parlay these new skills into a job. Speak with people who went thru the program a year ago; Six months ago. Are they happy with their decision?

Talk to people in the industry you are considering entering. Is business good? Are companies hiring new employees? What is a normal entry level wage? Get a free account at Linkedin and post questions to industry group members. You need to do the homework because you are making the biggest bet of your life! A decision that will affect you and your family for years to come.

Even if you are not paying for the training (and many people actually do pay for retraining themselves or go into debt to take the classes) you are still postponing your job search for a significant amount of time. Will it be worth it? Important considerations...after all it is YOUR future.

Happy Selling!

Encore.org

The largest generation in U.S. history is approaching retirement age during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression...other than that nothing is wrong. Simple put, the 50-plus job market has never been in more turmoil and never more important to so many people. I know, I turn 50 in 57 days.

Staying on the job longer than you might have planned is the single easiest step you can take to make your life better...if only for the health insurance. If full-time work isn't possible, try to stay on part-time if that will allow you to stay insured. I know multiple school districts here in Oklahoma who offer health insurance to part-time school bus drivers.

One of the single best career sites I have ever seen is Encore.org. It is a non-profit organization that helps people transition to working in the non-profit or public sector world.,,jobs that not only can help pay the bills and offer health insurance but also make a difference in other people's lives. 

One of the most important resources Encore.org offers is a job guide for people in career transition. The site also profiles quite a few people who went through a career transition and ended up with a new, very rewarding job. Their "Encore" job. Check it out!

Happy Selling!

Self Test

With competition for every job opening at a all-time high, it might be a good time to look in the mirror and ask yourself a few questions concerning your work ethic.

First, are you dependable? Dependability is the most desirable trait that an employee can have. It's sad that this even has to be mentioned but since not everyone is dependable those who are stick out. When somebody asks you to do something, does it always get done — on time, every time? Or do you have to be repeatedly asked, over and over, to get it completed? All things being equal, the candidate who can demonstrate dependability has a huge advantage over those who can't. How to prove it? Testimonials from former employers and people in our professional network, i.e. Non-profit boards, Youth Sport Leagues or even your Toastmasters club.

Next, do you get along well with others? With staffing levels cut to the bone it is vital that those who are employed (and want to stay that way) can work with others. Avoid the drama!

Are you a problem-solver? Companies today place a premium value on take-charge, motivated employees who confront problems in an organization and make a positive impact. This plays into dependability as well. Can you be depended upon to solve problems as they pop up?

Have you demonstrate leadership within the office? Are you looked at as a “go-to” source by the others who work with you? Do peers come to you for advice and counsel? Are you willing to take risks, even when the chance of failure exists? You don't have to be a manager to showcase leadership skills.

Four traits that almost never show up on a job description but are absolutely vital to not only landing a good job, but prospering in your career as well.

Happy Selling!