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You Can Cry, or You Can Help
R
ecently, I was motivated by one of my leaders and mentors, when he addressed the current job/economic challenges by stating, “you can cry or you can help.” These are two choices with only one creating positive results. This is simple, but impactful wisdom. Let’s be clear on one thought. We are not going back to “the good  old days.” We cannot wait for the economy to get back to where it was. That just will not happen. The economy, employers and talent are all in a period of redefinition. We must embrace these changes and go forward.
This month, I’d like to explore some insight on how to deal with and prosper from the current job/economic conditions. Many employers have never had to deal with an economic downturn of this magnitude. For many companies/organizations, revenues have flowed for many years. Profits were solid and growth was a given, not an option. Then, the “ghosts of the past” came to haunt us. The housing and banking meltdown helped to create an economic crisis on a par with The Great Depression. Most people currently in the workforce have never experienced this type of market volatility. Well-run, well-positioned companies have not only survived this crisis, but flourished.
Walmart, the world’s largest retailer has launched a “green rating” program, improved product quality, created a new brand and dramatically increased community support and outreach. The neighborhood, specialty food chain Fresh and Easy offers preservative-free choices, in a convenient, clean setting at the right price. These companies have designed business models that are fluid, flexible and dynamic. When the downturn hit, they did not “Cry,” they “Helped.” They created more value, innovated new revenue streams and met customer needs. They looked at their systems and process and revised them. We often hear the term, “They invested in their infrastructure.”
These strategies also apply to workers/job candidates and career changers. How can we stay fluid and dynamic in an ever-changing job market? For your consideration:
Job Seekers in their Preferred Field
- Address specific solutions in your cover letter, from the employer job posting.
- Stress result-oriented contributions in your resume summary and bullet points.
- Talk about impact, contributions, value, solutions and results during your interview and follow-up communications.
- Present to the employer that you can help take them into the future and how.
- Leverage the use of handouts, props, charts, photos, websites, portfolios, clippings, media and other forms of “show and tell.”
- Stay current on your chosen field with email newsletters, news feeds, association publications and memberships.
- Leverage social media sites such as LinkedIn, to network with potential employers.
- Communicate to your network regularly, what you seek and what you offer. If you don’t have a network, build one!
- Don’t talk about being laid off, or downsized. Only talk about where you want to go in the future and how you are going to get there. More so, what will it look and feel like when you arrive?
Career Changers
- Thoroughly research and educate yourself on your new field/career path.
- Meet with a career development professional to help plan your strategy.
- Identify the possible training programs/courses required for entry.
- Research the cost, time frame and settings for the required training/education.
- Do informational interviews or coffee meetings with people in the field or profession.
- Take an in-depth inventory of all of your transferable skills.
- Create a functional resume to leverage these transferable skills into your new career path.
- Be open to do an internship, externship, PT job, summer job, apprenticeship or volunteer program to enter your new career/vocation.
- Set realistic expectations and time lines.
- Ask for support from your network, family and friends.
- Mediate and pray for guidance, direction and most of all, WISDOM.
Peace and all good!
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 Paul Carpino, MA, CPC is a career counselor at UNLV, writer, speaker, presenter and life coach. His unique and innovative career/job search guide is “Now, Launch Your Career: Find Your Path—Personal Advice Letters from Some of the World’s Top Professionals.” It is available at www.iUniverse.com.
The above article is the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of Vegas Community Online, its editors/publishers, and/or other Vegas Community Online columnists. VCO respects the right of each author to express their opinion. If you have an opposing viewpoint or would like to send feedback on any article, please send email to feedback@vegascommunityonline.com; state the title of the article and your comments. VCO reserves the right to add any submissions to its feedback page.
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