Future Drive

Recently, the College of Lake County hosted a transportation summit. Why are people excited about this field? Multiple sources are pointing toward the transportation industry as one of high growth areas of the future. One of my favorite websites analyzes hiring trends nationwide. In July 2011, there were 57% more “transportation” jobs posted than in the previous year. What types of jobs fall under this category? There are the obvious jobs, such as delivery driver—but there are others that might surprise you. A dispatcher, a dock worker, and a material handler are all considered “transportation” jobs. Does this growth trend apply to Illinois? According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), it does!
In its short-term labor market projections for 2010 to 2012, IDES forecasts greater than 3% growth in several transportation jobs including:
• Transit and Ground Passenger Transport
• Warehousing and Storage
• Truck Transportation
If these areas don’t interest you, research a career in facilities support, medical laboratories or computer systems design. These are all projected to do well in the next few years. More information about growing industries is available at Illinois workNet. It makes sense to choose a career in a flourishing industry. Doing your homework now will pay dividends in the future!

Self Image and Job Search

This blog is a plug for an upcoming workshop at the Waukegan Job Center—“How the Job Finds You!” on August 23rd. Even if you cannot attend the workshop, read on. This applies to you!

Do you believe a great job will “find” you? If you’ve been looking for work for three months or more , that statement might feel ridiculous. It’s not. Now, I’m not sure what speaker Jeff Garton has cooked up for this particular workshop. I'm quite certain that he's not advocating that you sit passively at home and do nothing toward finding your next job.

I have heard Jeff speak previously on the topic of “Career Contentment” and can tell you that he advocates the idea that your mindset leads to success and contentment.

Let me give you a negative example of this. Travis is a talented handyman who can fix virtually anything but isn’t terribly confident. Recently , he bumped into Sherry, an acquaintance, at a local restaurant. They exchanged brief greetings and went on their way. Travis knew Sherry works in some “high level” job at a large manufacturing plant. However, he made several assumptions when speaking with her. He assumed:
• her manufacturing company wouldn’t hire a general handyman—after all, they’re into manufacturing, right?
• he didn’t have adequate preparation or skills to work at her company
• she wouldn’t be interested in helping him find employment anyway
Imagine this scenario again. This time Travis knows his own self-worth and is willing to discuss it with someone else. Travis bumps into Sherry and displays a genuine interest in her career and company. He tells her that he’s been out of work and has been looking at the possibility of transitioning into manufacturing. He asks if she would be willing to evaluate his resume and offer him tips on making the transition. Since he doesn’t have a resume with him at the moment, they exchange contact information and go on their way. BINGO! Travis has just created an opportunity out of nothing. It’s possible that a job will “find him” from this chance meeting.

Are you like Travis? Do you downplay your own value and skills? Do you assume that opportunities are unavailable or unattainable? This mindset will cause you to miss out. What can you do to change? Why don’t you start by attending the workshop on August 23rd. Can’t make it? Listen to the podcasts on the Career Contentment website!

Employment the Easy Way

Catchy title, ehh?   Don’t we all wish we could find the ideal career with ease?  Well, finding great employment does certainly take effort—but some of you may be trying too hard. 

You know who you are.  You’re the person who spent the past five sunny days glued to your computer browsing for job listings and researching companies.  You’re the one who responds with a tense “No” when someone asks you if you’ve found a job.  You’re the person whose blood pressure shoots up whenever you do get a few seconds to talk to an employer.  I know you because I’m one of you.  We’re the overachievers of the nation, and we get really, really tense when we’re out of work.

Have you ever seen someone who’s been dumped into a swimming pool unexpectedly?  He’ll typically flail around for a few minutes, sputtering and submerging while he gets his bearings.  That’s you.  You’re making a lot of effort, but is it getting you anywhere .  Be willing to acknowledge that trying harder is not the solution.    

It’s time to search more strategically—not harder.  Here are a couple of ways that you can do that

• Document what you are doing.  Keep a daily schedule or chart.  Make it simple.  (Remember you’re not trying to add to your work load.)  This is something for you to review at the end of the week.  Congratulate yourself on what you have done and decide what you might do differently next week.   This document is just for you, but you are welcome to wave it at anyone who accuses you of being “lazy” or of not actually trying to find a job.

• Look around.  You need perspective.  Remember how solutions often arrive when you’re thinking of something else.  Read the newspaper.  Watch the news.  Go to a networking event.  Visit a favorite spot.  Volunteer somewhere.  Get away from the computer and interact with other people!

•   Be intentional about relaxation.  Plan breaks for yourself.  Think of something you enjoy that you want to add to each day.  Add it to your schedule so you don’t forget!  

• Schedule exercise.  Doing a physical activity will help you sleep and will beat back the stress monster.  Right now my favorite form of exercise is gardening.  Find an exercise that works for you and stick to it!

Don’t feel guilty about indulging yourself a bit.  You will be at your best with employers if you are fresh and rested.   Employers are looking for individuals with a well-balanced lifestyle. 

"Countdown to Employment" for Job Search Success

A colleague recently shared the following formula with me.  This "Countdown to Employment" is a tool that is being used by Colorado Technical University.  I hear that it has garnered a 40% employment rate amount job seekers--but you have to stick with the plan!

Countdown to Employment Method:  Every week commit to doing the following:
5-Send out 5 resumes
4-Call 4 companies
3-Attend 3 networking events
2-Do 2 direct walk-ins into a company
1-Volunteer once (this strategy alone has led to 10% of the new hires!)

Why not try this out this month?

Long Term Career Search

Tory Johnson of "Women for Hire" recently referred to an article on the "Top 10 Tips for Improving Your Email Marketing"  Whether you are an online marketer or not, the final tip should be relevant to you.  "Overnight success takes ten years."  How does this apply to career change or job search?  It tells me that we're in this for the long haul!  In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Americans will change careers anywhere from three to five times in their lifetime.  How does this impact you?  Do you find the idea of repeated career change frightening or exhilarating? 

Truth is Best Option on Resume

by guest blogger Kay Dewane

As I was browsing the web the other day, an alarming statistic popped off the page. It has been reported that 43% of individuals have reported they have embellished the truth on their resume. So, with that being said, don’t fall prey to the top five stretches of truth that have been reported. Remember, honesty is always the best policy!

1. Salary: Up to 27% of job seekers think this is an easy lie to pull off. Just remember, more and more employers are requesting to see previous W2 statements. So if you choose to lie, this can get real dicey quickly after they review your true salary.

2. Credentials: Have you ever thought of fabricating a degree or credential in hopes no one will check on the authenticity? Approximately 12% of individuals have tried this trick only to find themselves caught in a lie. This is an easy lie to get caught in, do not take a risk and chance an opportunity.

3. Job Performance: Many people embellish results on resumes. Perhaps you were able to cut operational costs by 50%; if you did perform such an accomplishment, make certain you can back up your claims with proof of performance, because 15% of individuals fabricate this area.

4. Job Responsibilities: Have you stretched the truth and played a larger role on a project than you actually did? If so, you are not alone, because 19% of individuals have done this very thing. If they talk with your past supervisor regarding a reference check, the beans could spill and your fabrication could be revealed quickly and your true role will be portrayed differently in the potential employers mind. Be careful, be honest and avoid add-ons that you had no responsibility for.

5. Job Skills: Taking a one day class in any skill will not lead to your expertise in that area. About 17% of individuals list skills they are inadequate in and provide a twist that they are above and beyond the skills they accurately possess. Do not take chances to look foolish on a job and become dismissed due to lying; resist the urge even if you are desperate for an interview. Nothing is ever worth looking foolish and untrustworthy.

Looking for summer employment?

Believe it or not, it is time to begin applying for summer employment! The Job Center is sponsoring a job fair for young people on March 10th for that very reason. Jobapalooza is a great opportunity for a young person to get a chance to interact with potential employers—possibly for the first time. If you cannot attend Jobapalooza, here are a few more ideas.

• The Lake County Forest Preserve has posted its seasonal positions for 2011.
• Six Flags Great America is now hosting hiring events on weekends for seasonal work.
• The Chicago Botanic Gardens have posted their seasonal positions.

For a wider range of seasonal jobs and internships nationwide, take a look at the coolworks.com
The website features jobs at camps, resorts, national parks and other “cool” sites.

Good luck!

Where are the jobs in Lake County

Thoughts posted by guest blogger, Kay Dewane--Employment Specialist for Lake County Workforce Development

This morning, I logged on to http://www.indeed.com/ and found 32,699 jobs that have openings for the Lake County area.  There are still opportunities here! 

Now, you might be wondering what company company websites are worth investigating. With no further ado, I present to you a link that provides the Top 25 Employers in Lake County. In this list of employers, you should find one or more companies that will suit you.  Take a moment, click on the link and start creating your own research journey to locate opportunities of interest.


http://www.lakecountypartners.com/content/statistics/business_lists/top_25_employers.asp

New Strategy for a New Year

If looking for work was a challenge for you in 2010, why not try a fresh strategy for 2011? If previous method of job search did not work for you, it’s definitely time to change things up! Try one (or more) of the following in January.

• Get business cards (you can order a basic business card free at www.vistaprint.com) and pass them out to all your networking contacts.
• Target five desirable companies. Identify five companies that you would like to work for and haunt their website. Find out everything you can about the company. Need some ideas? Crain’s Chicago Business just listed its 2011 Book of Lists. Find the top local employers in a number of categories!
• Volunteer for a new site or join a group related to your field of employment. Can’t find one? Create your own!
• Research a new field. Have you always worked in a corporate field? Research jobs in government or education! Is all your experience in retail positions? Why not look into positions in healthcare? It can’t hurt to expand your horizons!
• Sign up for career assessment. Get a fresh perspective on your strengths by taking a personality/ ability test. The College of Lake County/ Career & Placement Service offers this to any Lake County resident. Call 847-543-2059 for an appointment.

2011 will be your year if you persist!

Employment Scams: Knowing when something is too good to be true!

Posted by Employment Specialist, Kay Dewane

 

During the upcoming holiday months, you may worry about the depleting money in your pockets. Do not let anxiety cause you to lose your wits when it comes to employment scams! An offer of a “glamorous job earning big bucks while working part-time at home” might tempt you, but learn the facts before leaping at an offer that is too good to be true. Protect yourself by exercising the following tips:

•  Do not ever pay any fees upfront!
• NEVER give out your credit card information.
• Beware of providing your social security number until you are actually hired by a real company.
• Watch out for ads that are listed with 900 phone numbers.
• Go the extra mile and check out the company website before you get involved.
• Do not cash checks made payable to you, even though they look tempting! You will be held accountable for this money!
• Contact your local Better Business Bureau to learn about the reputation of the company in question.

 

Following the above advice can save you a lot of pain and frustration down the line, so know it is worth the efforts you set forth!