The following post provides the rationale for and simple steps to realign your career with the job market.
Every business worth its salt knows that survival demands discovering their market and maintain alignment with that market going forward. Progressive companies even take it a step further and lead that market by adopting innovative products and services. Why should your career be any different??
Being aligned with your job market may be tomorrow’s reality. According to the Wall Street Journal more than 5 years ago, an average American will go through SEVEN careers in their lifetime – and that’s not counting how many jobs you will see within a given career. The trend is going up, by the way. Who knows that that average is now?
Post-graduation I’ve had at least 3 careers and now 8 jobs – and I’m one of those loyal, establish-roots kind of guy. In early 2014, I thought I was in my last career and then the re-organization happened. Before long I was on the outside looking in – in the job market for the first time in over 18 years. Could you be next?
Nearly 18 months later, I can say that I’m in a better place – thanks in part to Lee Hecht Harrison, and my job coaches Brian Coughlin and Pauline C. Fournier. You can be too, and avoid the hard lessons I had being on the streets underemployed. Try these four simple steps to connect you with your market:
- TAKE A LONG LOOK IN THE MIRROR – Most companies have a process for reviewing job performance and offering feedback. Get all of your performance appraisals together and start reading. Identify the skills and attributes you are consistently excelling at, and those that identify your warts. Don’t worry, we all have them. The key is accepting these issues and doing something about them.
- EVALUATE YOUR JOB MARKET – Go to your favorite job board and search for jobs similar to your current roll. Even better, search for where you want to be next. What skills and qualifications are they looking for? Now compare them with your credentials. See any glaring gaps? I know for me, one element was professional certifications. The job market valued certifications over my master’s degree. Why not demonstrate both to my next employer?
- DEVELOP A MARKETING PLAN – Most job seekers have just a resume. Don’t sell yourself short. Your network cannot help you with your job search unless they know your value proposition and where you think you fit in the job market. Create a separate marketing plan and clearly define your professional objective, positioning statement, competencies, target market, and target companies. Have those that know you best review it and provide feedback.
- MARKET YOURSELF – Positioning yourself for that next job is more than applying through the front door. Put yourself out there. Use social media like LinkedIn to showcase your strengths. Join professional associations and engage in the discussions leading your practice area.
References:
Leave a Reply