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Masteri ng J ob Market Trends by Ngee Key Career Coach and Strategist. Author specifically disclaims any liability for the reader's use of any forms or advice provided in this book. No part of this publication may be re-produced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system.
Masteri ng J ob Market Trends by Ngee Key Career Coach and Strategist. Author specifically disclaims any liability for the reader's use of any forms or advice provided in this book. No part of this publication may be re-produced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system.
Masteri ng J ob Market Trends by Ngee Key Career Coach and Strategist. Author specifically disclaims any liability for the reader's use of any forms or advice provided in this book. No part of this publication may be re-produced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system.
Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t
1 Mastering Job Market Trends By Ngee Key Career Coach & Strategist Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 2 Mastering Job Market Trends By Ngee Key Career Coach & Strategist Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 3 Mastering Job Market Trends By Ngee Key Copyrighted Material 2012 by Ngee Key YourOwn360 All Rights Reserved This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. If legal, accounting, medical, psychological or any other expert assistance is required; the services of a competent professional person should be required. Author specifically disclaims any liability for the readers use of any forms or advice provided in this book. It is not warranted as fit for any specific use or purpose, but is intended to give general information that is as current as possible as of the date of publication. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be re-produced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the author and copyright owner. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this e-book via Internet or any other means without permission of the author is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encouraging electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the authors rights is appreciated. Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 4 Ngee Key believes that everyone should enjoy and love what they do in their job. His passion is to help every person learn to discover their true talent, skills, knowledge and purpose. He is a Career Coach and Strategist of YourOwn360. With more than 15 years of corporate professional experience ranging from start-up to multinational companies, he deeply understands the questions and concerns faced by working professionals. His expertise in personal and business change was developed through many years of professional experiences. Prior before founding YourOwn360, he was the Business Development Leader for Hewitt Associates Human Resource Outsourcing Practice for South East Asia. You are spending almost 30 or more years of your life working. He believe they should be rewarding and fulfilling. Having a career that aligns with your talent, values and passion at its heart is aligning your purpose for being on earth with an idea so convincing that you simply must do it, despite the challenges or fears that hold you back, says Ngee Key. Certified by Career Coach Academy under the mentorship of Susan Whitcomb, he has worked with many clients who have faced challenging About the Author Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 5 career decisions you face now and moved them to better, meaningful and fulfilling situations. Ngee Key has been interviewed and featured in print, online media and radio, including Straits Times, Business Times, AsiaOne, Today, NS Magazine, Her World and 938 Live Radio. If you find this guide useful, feel free to inform your friends, colleagues and family so that they can purchase a copy and begin to discover meaningful careers. Visit http://yourown360.com/ for more books, articles, webinars, blogs and free resources. Look forward to see you there. Yours truly, Ngee Key Career Coach & Strategist Founder, YourOwn360 Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 6 Masteri ng Job Market Trends ..................................................................................................... In This Guide ................................................................................................................8 Why You Are Here .......................................................................................................9 The Industry and You ..................................................................................................10 Something to Ponder - Coaching Questions to Ask Myself ...................................11 Recommended Actions ............................................................................................13 Resources Toolki t Overvi ew ........................................................................................................ Defi ni ng Your Career Vi si on ........................................................................................................ Your Profession and the Environment .......................................................................17 Something to Ponder - Coaching Questions to Ask about my profession............18 Recommended Actions.............................................................................................20 Advisory Column .........................................................................................................21 Creati ng A SMART Goal .................................................................................................................... 10 Factors That Affect Attainability............................................................................26 How Attainable Are Your Goals?..............................................................................31 My SMART Goals ........................................................................................................35 Motivations and Fears ...............................................................................................37 Get Yourself Organized..............................................................................................26 I n summary ........................................................................................................................................... C o n t e n t s Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 7 Let's face it: a lot of people hate job search. A lot of us dread doing this, even before we begin. It's one of the most frustrating obstacles that we just have to face in our lives, not only because of the difficulties it presents, but the necessity of it - how there's nowhere else to go but through it. You need a job, and you won't get any unless you begin looking for one. One of the things that will help conquer your anxiety with your job search is to understand the current industry trends and the changing job market. By surveying your desired profession and its environment, you will be able to plan and execute a more intelligent and efficient job search. The objective is for you to be aware of developments having an impact on your chosen field, so you can avoid dangers, identify opportunities and make the right decisions about where you will best fit in the ever changing world of work. Nobody is born golden; everybody has to start somewhere. This is the space for you to be totally familiar with the overall picture of your profession and the industry. Here there are no mistakes, only stepping stones towards achieving your career goals. Mastering Job Market Trends The quality of an individual is reflected in the standards they set for themselves. RAY KROC Founder and former Chairman of McDonalds Corporation Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 8 In This Guide Throughout this Guide, we will use the word professional quite liberally. We want you to get comfortable with it. In the past, only doctors, lawyers, certified public accountants and other people with a specialized or advanced formal education were seen as (and called) professionals. But aren't we all good at what we do? These days, everyone working with a defined body of expertise belongs to a profession. We invest in our education, we display productive skills related to our career, and we certainly have knowledge that can be of value to a lot of companies. So yes, we believe a little dash of daring is in order: we are professionals. You are a professional. In fact, try it now. Say, I am a professional. Now doesn't that make you feel good, even just a little? Whether you are in information services, purchasing, customer service, human resource, operations management, sales, marketing, financial services, or general management, you need to believe you are just as good as any doctor, lawyer, or accountant. You are a professional, and you should never be embarrassed at viewing yourself so. Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 9 So what's a professional doing, being part of a career strategy program? The answer is simple: you care enough to educate yourself on your professional environment. You want to be updated on the latest and potential future trends and developments in your field. You want to be a more appealing candidate when you speak with hiring managers, and you aim to better discuss what is happening or could happen in your particular profession. Let's get that out in the open now, once and for all, and be done away with it. What makes a professional the best at what they do is their desire to learn. This is the opportunity for you not only to find a job that fits, but also to find a passion and a purpose that you can sustain for years, if not the rest of your life. At the end of the day, we want you to find that which will make you happy and fulfilled. The potential is already inside you; the tools we will provide are just extra help. Losing a job or thinking about leaving your current one may make you feel powerless and vulnerable. This is why we are here. This is why you are here. We want you to abandon any preconceived notions about asking for help or getting additional training at your age as signs of weakness. It's not. It's called learning to be the best you can be. Why You Are Here Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 10 In this guide you are encouraged to do a lot of research. This creates a context for your job search, as you are now free to go beyond the limitations set by your previous occupation. With your research, you'll be able to come up with informed decisions in regards to which job are best for you and where you stand in relationship to your profession as a whole. You are not restricted to follow just one industry. Feel free to survey as many as you like. Just keep in mind that these should be industries, which you are keen to pursue and have a job in the future. It is possible that the kind of profession you are eyeing is involved in many trades; for example, a photographer can work in fashion, food, journalism, weddings, etc. If this applies to you then you need to be aware of and study the different environments, as well as your appeal as a candidate, because it can be useful when you are discussing with hiring managers how your professional expertise fits into their particular industries. Since research would be quite an exhaustive task, you don't have to finish everything before you begin other elements of your job search. We think it would be even better if you can integrate this with other activities outlined in the other modules. You can, for example, research industries and specific companies within them at the same time. Later on, when you are talking to contacts about certain organizations, you may also find the opportunity to discuss industries, your profession and the larger issues affecting both. The Industry and You Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 11 Something to Ponder Coaching Questions to Ask Yourself What are the latest trends in my industry and environment? Will they have an impact on my career goals? What would the future looks like for my chosen industry? What about the trends that will have an impact on my profession? What has been changed over the years? What about the future prospects of my profession? Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 12 Will all these changes be affecting my current talent, skills and competencies now and in the future? If yes, what would the impact be life? What are the hottest trends I need to be aware in order to stay relevant and competitive in my respective industry and profession? What are the latest trends that capture my attention? Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 13 Recommended Actions Newspapers and magazines are a good place to start, but you can also tap the Internet to read about the latest, provided that these are credible sources. You can read blogs of experts on the field, as well. Past issues, particularly major events are key to understanding the behavior of your industry today. You can also collect ideas on future trends by observing its history. Most companies and organizations have corporate blogs now, in an effort to be more transparent. Read up on their latest activities and involvement with other partners. If they provide a forum where you can interact with them, take advantage of that and ask relevant questions that will help you with your research. Gain an understanding of the larger business trends that are affecting your type of work. Discuss Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 14 your views with family and friends after reading. Ask them about their opinion as well to gain insight on how other people perceive your industry and profession. They are good and reliable sources because they have already been/are currently there. Ask about their experience, what they have learned, what made them leave or what makes them stay. Include the important trends, likely obstacles and possible opportunities. You are clear about your profession, industry and environment in the current job market, consisting of important trends that are influential of the future, and how these changes can have an impact on your career path. After completion of this Guide: Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 15 Resources Toolkit Overview The following are tools that we have prepared to assist you with this guide. Coaching Questions, recommended actions, tips and advices are also provided to aid your research. What is it that you really want to do in your career? You need to have clarity of your profession before you can begin to understand your surroundings and situation. You need to identify actual responsibilities and activities involved and compare it with your perception of what you should do/what you want to do in your career. Goals are important. Having something to aim for will keep you from being unproductive. The intent is for you to avoid thinking about being unemployed and self-pitying, and instead find ways to get back out there. Goals that are truly attractive and meaningful can also give you a new perspective about having all that free time to yourself: it only means that you now have more opportunities to pursue these aspirations. There is a need to examine your desired profession and its environment, as well as the industry where it belongs. To be able to execute a job search that will produce favorable results, you need to be aware of the current issues, trends, strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the job you are keen to pursue. Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 16 What is it that you do? Does your current/past job title actually describe your profession? A lot of people think that their job title is their work, but sometimes there is an actual disconnect between the position you hold and the tasks being given to you. In a real work setting, a job title is only useful on paper, but may not carry enough weight outside your work place. For example, what does a senior engineer even mean? Does the job entail more complexity of engineering work from that which is handled by someone with a slightly lower pay grade? Hardly; but notable-sounding job titles are something a lot of people desire, even if they can't be hard-pressed to admit it. You are led to believe that a job title is everything, and to have an impressive label after your name symbolizes skills and status. Except this isn't true, and the longer you stay in the job, the more you realize that this isn't what you wanted, this isn't what you expected, and the tasks you actually perform has nothing to do with the job title at all! If it is to be, it is up to me. WALLY AMOS Founder of Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies Defining Your Career Vision Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 17 Your Profession and the Environment A clear definition of your desired profession is a must. We want you to spend some time describing what you want to do in your future career path. You need to identify expected responsibilities and research on activities you want to be involved. List out your ideal office scenario or a typical day at the workplace. What are you doing? What kind of people are you interacting with? What is it that will fulfill your passion and purpose while you are here? The job market is dynamic and the changes might be huge since your last career transition. The ideas or concepts you have may have change drastically. In order to compete more successfully in the global market, organizations may have become shrunk their workforce and putting more focus on productivity. With that, top management is insisting on a workforce that is lively and flexible. Technology also plays a big part as it continues to affect us in different ways. New skills are hot in demand and old skills are dying off. You need to know exactly how these developments are affecting your profession. Based on your profession, you are required to understand what it takes to be in the desired marketplace. This is even more important if you are thinking of switching industries. Your decision will be based on what you are looking for in your future career path that meets your passion and that it requires of your skills, talent and knowledge. Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 18 Something to Ponder Coaching Questions to ask about my profession As you think about your future career path, you need to know your current strengths and what are the gaps you need to fill in to stay relevant and on top of your career. Defining your profession begins with an examination of your work experience and expertise. What would my ideal work be? What type of training I need to advance in this profession? What is my passion? What profession do they suggest? Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 19 What comes naturally to me? What profession do they suggest? How feasible is my profession? What are the threats to it in becoming obsolete? What is the average salary level of the profession I am interested in? Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 20 Recommended Actions Identify the profession(s) that you have had in the past and make a list of the activities and responsibilities that came with it. Write the good and bad experiences, the advantages and disadvantages of having that job, and the factors that made you leave. Given new opportunities, would you still be interested in pursuing the same job? Would you consider looking into a different kind of profession but still within the same industry? Or are you decided on trying something new altogether? Go through the classifieds in newspapers and online job boards. Look at the industry and profession profiles. Read about the requirements (education, work experience, skills) as well as tasks (duties that will be assigned once the position is accepted). See if this is something that you would be attracted to. Use the Internet to find more information about your profession. Read blogs; join mailing lists and forums, etc. You can also read occupational handbooks, as they describe working conditions, training and education requirements, earnings and expected job prospects. C Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 21 Ask friends, colleagues, and family about what other profession they see you working at in the future. Speaking to people is an important factor of your work. You need to be confident and prepared initiating such conversations. How you begin the discussion and how you phrase your questions are particularly important. It is a good idea to make an outline and write notes so you can get the best possible answers. Remember these three key points: the dynamic changes of job market, the impact of technology on your profession, and how it is currently perceived in the marketplace Advisory Column Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 22 A holistic plan is to have a goal, one that will not only get you excited to achieve results but also push your boundaries and challenge you to do your best. Planning on how you will execute your job search is essential, but goals that will enable you to be successful once you get the job are equally important. To say that a goal needs to be smart is pretty much obvious, but you can turn this word into a nifty acronym that you can use. Simply put, stands for: pecific, easurable, ttainable, elevant and ime -Bound. When you list your goals, whether short-term or long-term, we want you to keep this in mind. Having these parameters will make it easier for you to have more sensible targets. Your goal needs to be well defined. Write it in present tense, as if it were true today. This will help you internalize what you want to happen. Believe you Set your goals high and dont let anybody tell you no. MURIEL SIEBERT Founder and President of Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc. Creating A SMART Goal specific Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 23 deserve the new position and act as if you are already enjoying it! For instance, a Gaming Programmer might state his goal this way: I have a great job as a game programmer working for one of the biggest online gaming company in the industry today. I am creating amazing 3D Animation and earning a salary that is worth the amount of work I am putting in. If you are still not sure on your next move, consider writing it this way: I am very passionate about creating 3D Games and online music. In my previous job in a software firm, I didn't get to combine the two although I had fun. Now I am considering doing the same job but changing industries, like creating 3D Games with self composed music. A specific goal is one that is direct to the point, easy to understand, and clear to anyone even if they have no prior knowledge about your industry or profession. A goal is measurable if there's a target that you can reach or work towards it. It needs to be a tangible result so that you can determine if you have been Measureable Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 24 successful. For example, a network engineer wants to make his network of hiring managers from IT companies bigger. This is ambiguous and confusing: I want to meet new hiring managers of IT companies. This is clearer and much more concrete: To increase my number of contacts, I will call up two IT companies each week and get in touch with the hiring manager. I will do this for three months. If the desired result (increased number of contacts) has been achieved, then the goal can be evaluated as a success. If not, then it is a failure. Another way of evaluating a goal is to use a graduated level of attainment, from exceptional to unsatisfactory: : I will accept a position as a network engineer with a salary within my dream range. Yay! : I will accept a position as a network programmer with a salary within in my comfort zone. : I will accept a network programmer or developer position with a company not on my target list; or, I will accept a different position that will be a stepping-stone to my desired position. D C Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 25 : I will accept a position with a salary way below my expectations. Argh! An attainable goal is one that is realistic and reachable given the circumstances. It should be practical and not impossible to achieve. Of course, there is nothing wrong with giving yourself a challenge, but you need to be able to carry this out given the resources and timeframe you have. It doesn't mean, however, that it has to be too simplistic or easy, because then you will only be fooling yourself. Don't sell yourself short just because you have anxieties about failing - an attainable goal means you are able to accomplish this in stages, supported by perseverance and hard work. Attainable 10 Factors That Affect Attainability "I have 90% of the skills, knowledge and experience needed for my target position. I have a solid knowledge of project management and planning skills. I need more hands on time with operation skills which I could get up to speed quickly." When choosing a profession, you need to know what you can and can't. By browsing job ads, focus on requirements the company is looking for and assess yourself if you fit the bill. Decide if you can include learning a new skill as an attainable goal, given your present situation (financial resources, time available, etc.) Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 26 "I have ten years of experience managing key projects. I am currently working in finance, but I want to transfer to a manufacturing company. I don't have a Bachelors Degree, but I have a PMI certification. I am also looking into Operational Management certification." Similar with your skill set, you need to assess if getting more certification is a priority versus looking for another profession that will be content with your experience and history. "I want to get this position and willing to work extra hard to get what I want. My parents impart a really strong professional work ethic in me, and I don't expect things to be handed to me on a silver platter." The more motivated you are, the more likely you'll be able to find solutions to your problems. If you view everything as a challenge rather than a setback, then you are more likely to take on more demanding and tough goals compared to other people. "I have been informed I am a bit of a conservative who might affect my social networking and interviewing." The way you connect to other people and your readiness to reach out to strangers can affect how you create your goal. Do not use your being a wallflower as an excuse to do something undemanding. 10 Factors That Affect Attainability (conti nued) Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 27 "I just want to have a fair compensation of what I do and worth paying for." Part of job search is a look into the industry where your profession belongs. Enquire salary average that your colleagues receive. "My life partner supports me completely in making this move. I have a great friend who will be my accountability partner. I know a few people who have useful connections. Engaging a support team sounds good, but you need to be careful not to be too relying on them. What happens if they are not free for consultation? Are you able to pursue your job search on your own? "I have identify eight companies that I want to focus and may add more later. Since I am in the finance field, I will use mainly online methods for my search (e-profile, blog, social networking)." Strategies are stepping stones toward attainability. Have a plan that works and suits the resources and skills that you already have. "I have average computer skills and all equipment I need to work at home. A big portion of the job search is using the computer. Consider this and your ability to use it when choosing your methods. 10 Factors That Affect Attainability (conti nued) Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 28 "I am putting in 50-hour work weeks at my current job and I have a 2 year old son, so I can only dedicate a few hours a week for face-to-face networking. I'll do more online networking in the evenings. Think about your schedule and other responsibilities during your job search. Observe the time of day you can be most productive and how you can maximize it. "I have long hair and big beard, might put some people off if I have to interview with traditional corporate types. Extra things to note are corporate culture, expectations regarding employee behavior, and more. Evaluate whether these are priorities for you or not. 10 Factors That Affect Attainability (conti nued) Remember: The stronger you are in each factor, the faster your search will be. Likewise, if you come short in some areas, it will take longer to get where you want to go. relevant Relevant goals must be aligned with your purpose and the big picture in your life. These are something that directly helps you move one step closer towards your dream. Whether long-term or short-term, their role is to take you forward. Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 29 Relevant goals are one of the most difficult to achieve, if only because we have a tendency to get sidetracked by other goals that we feel are important, too. For example, a web developer looking to land a job in the IT industry can have this goal that is significant but not relevant to his job search: I just recently learned planning skills. I want to demonstrate my skills so I've agreed to teach my friend to plan for a project. How to turn this into a relevant goal: I just recently learned planning skills. Based from my research, a lot of companies now are looking for project managers with such skill. I have decided to create a planning tool so I have something to show the hiring managers during my interview. It is important to note that a relevant goal is something that can create an impact to your already existing plan, as well as the industry or profession you are interested in. D C Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 30 Your goal needs to have a realistic timeline. Here's an example for something short-term: I will accept an offer within 60 or 90 days, or, I will give myself two days to decide if I really want to work there. As for long-term goals that involve years, you need to be vigilant and examine these regularly. Situations change; what may be achievable now might not be so in the future. If a lot of other factors are dependent on these goals, you might face difficulties. Be sure that you habitually review your objectives to avoid being in this scenario. It's now time for some self-examination. The table below will help you assess each of the factors that affect goal attainment. Using a scale of 1 to 10 (1 is low/false, 10 is high/true), circle a rating for each factor and then total your scores. You can also ask a trusted colleague to rate you, then compare your scores and assess any differences. Time-Bound Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 31 FACTORS RATINGS (1 = LOW/FALSE; 10 = HIGH/TRUE) 1 Current Skill Set - Do you have the majority of the skills employers want for your target position? Can you get up to speed quickly? Are your skills above average? (This is especially important if the number of total openings for your target positions is limited). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 Industry Experience and Education. Do you have recent, hands-on experience in your target position? Do you have the number of years of experience most employers are looking for? Is your target industry currently hiring? Have you researched your target company against its competitors? Do you have the degree or certifications required for the position? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3 Motivation: Do you really want this career change? Are you willing to make sacrifices to get what you want? Are you prone to seizing the day ("I have to make the first move if I want something great to happen") versus an entitlement mentality. (World owes me because I have been through so much)? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4 Social Skills: Are you personable and well groomed? Do you have good communication and relational skills? Are you reasonably self-confident? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5 Support Systems and Network: Do you have a goal- oriented accountability partner? Can you tap into a reasonably strong professional and personal network? Do you know people within the industry? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 How attainable are your goals? Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 32 FACTORS RATINGS (1 = LOW/FALSE; 10 = HIGH/TRUE) 6 Search Strategy: Do you have a clearly defined position and company target, giving consideration geography, company size, organizational culture, and so on? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7 IComputer Skills: Are you proficient with the technology needed for the target job? Do you have a computer and Internet connection time? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 Salary: Is your salary goal in line with market realities and current salary surveys? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9 Time Availability: Can you devote 30-40 hours or more each week to your search if you are unemployed and 10-15 hours if you are employed? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 Potential Obstacles: Are you free of any of these potential obstacles; a long distance search, poor employment record, disability, appearance, silent, discrimination for reasons of race, sex, religion, or age language barriers, criminal record, health problems, heavy smoker, emotional problems, anything else. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 33 What Your Scores Mean Although there may be some gray areas in scoring, this quick assessment will give you an idea of whether your goal is attainable: If your total score is within 80-100: You should be set up for a relatively straightforward job search. You have a big chance of getting the job you want faster, because of your dedication, ability to engage, and a network that will get you the right connections. If your total score is within 50-80: You could do with more time to concentrate on the factors that need shoring up. It may be that your skills are not enough to get you the job you are eyeing, or that you have to develop more your relationships with other people. Either way, a bit more effort would be better. If your total score is below 50: You might need to review your goals and research more about the profession and industry you are interested in. Remember that a successful job search involves dedication and time. You might also want to consider changing your target to a bridge job if you want to be in a new position quickly. (Bridge jobs tide you over if you've been laid off and can't find another job in your profession.) Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 34 Recommended Actions Write down your goals. It sounds so simple yet it proves to be very effective. It is so easy to talk about what you want to do, but when it comes to putting them down on paper, you are compelled to really think about it. We have provided a form on the next page. Print this out and write down your thoughts. Do not over think it. The wording does not need to be perfect at this point. It is more important that you put what's on your mind to paper. Seeing your thoughts written down helps you commit more and makes your goals seem more concrete. Remember to write Specific goals in present tense, as if it were already true. If you need ideas, refer back to the examples for each of the SMART elements. Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 35 Exceptional Expected Could be better Unsatisfactory Skill Set Industry Experience & Education Motivation Social Skills My SMART Goals Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 36
Support Systems and Network Search Strategy Computer Skills Target Salary Potential Obstacles Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 37 Motivation and Fears When is my deadline (date) of sketching out my SMART goals? Whom will I be accountable? What motivates me? How will I build this motivation in my daily routine? Which SMART goal can I take today to boost my job search momentum? Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 38 What fears and apprehensions are preventing me from doing well? What aspects of job search do I feel threatened by? Out of the 10 factors that affect attainability, which am I concerned with the most? Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 39 Once you have truly defined your profession in terms of what you want to do and where you want to do it, you need to educate yourself on the latest developments in your profession and your professional environment. Again, research will play a big role here. We cannot put enough emphasis on this. It is not sufficient to familiarize yourself with current trends - you need to get details, look into into histories, and brush up on companies' vision-mission objectives. In as much as you devote time to examine your own values and skills, the same determination is needed in understanding the industry of your choice. If you are really interested to be part of an organization, a desire to know about their track record is very important. You will want to know what makes them a good employer - and what other qualities they have that makes them a potentially bad one, too. The Internet is a valuable tool, both for investigating information and networking with experts in your field. Make sure that you are maximizing your resources. Think diversity. The idea of trying everything is important. JILL ELIKANN BARAD President and CEO of Mattel, Inc. Putting Things in Perspective Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 40 Knowing Your Professional Environment Here are some more concrete ways on how you can understand your professional environment better: Study the classifieds in newspapers and online job postings. Note all the companies and industries that need your professional services. Can you meet all of their requirements? Note that the prerequisites do not only pertain to skills and experience, but also age, gender, location, etc. For example, you may find that a lot of open positions related to finance are located in the city, which is a bit far from your home. Further research can reveal that this is because the financial capital is there. This and other kind of information might be a factor in your job search. Aside from relevant websites, read industry newsletters and professional journals. Take notes. Share these with your support team and ask related questions. If you have difficulty getting answers, approach experts via forums or their blogs. When you are further along in your preparation and are gathering marketplace information, develop and constantly meet with your sources. These are the people with whom you can discuss your findings about your professional environment. Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 41 Get Yourself Organized An efficient job search will be more possible if you are organized from the get-go. Build electronic or hard copy files of articles on your profession and industries that attract you, and continue to compile this information throughout your search. Start to bookmark all the relevant web sites so that you can refer to them easily. Get a new journal solely for your job search so you won't have to lose notes written on random pieces of paper. Keep an address book of all your contacts. Put all your files in a dedicated box or container and place it on your desk where it is within easy reach. Constantly review all the information that you have. This will train you to be the best-informed and most up-to-date candidate, which makes for a great first impression. C C C Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 42 There is great joy in accomplishing a lot from a to-do list, and this guide is, admittedly, quite a big one. As you slowly discover, there's a lot that goes behind getting the job of your dreams: hard work, determination, self-belief, and most importantly, preparation. In this stage of your job search, doing your homework is fundamental. We have talked a lot about being a professional, and owning it. This is crucial because we need you to believe in yourself first, before you can move onto other stages of the job search process. The tools that we provide you with are only extra helping hands - the most important thing you can rely on is yourself and putting the plans into action. Always keep this in mind: true professionals stand out from the crowd. Their enthusiasm and commitment enable them to develop rewarding careers in the future. They see opportunities and work hard, and they expect nothing less but success. Keep an open attitude and be willing to try new things. ARTHUR C. MARTINEZ Former President and CEO of Sears, Roebuck and Co. In Summary Masteri ng J ob Market Trends Ngee Key C a r e e r C o a c h & S t r a t e g i s t 43 YourOwn360 Career Strategy Guide Series provides focused and practical strategies to help working professionals to discover themselves better and move them into meaningful and fulfilling careers. To learn more about other series, please visit www.yourown360.com To enquire Coaching & Strategy Session or book Ngee Key for Keynote Speech, please contact him at ngeekey@yourown360.com You can also connect with me on the following social media platforms. LinkedIn: http://sg.linkedin.com/in/ngeekey Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ngeekey Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ngeekey Connect With Me