Career Management Alliance Blog

The words “economic recession” are without a doubt looming in the minds of job seekers everywhere, and with the banking and financial industries suffering from the global crisis, individuals are left wondering if their hopes of finding employment in these fields are realistic.  Yet despite the grim economic forecast, we are confident that the American Dream is alive and well and that job seekers’ hopes and goals will soon become realities!  Mike Oakes, a friend and former client, joined us this week on “Total Career Success” on VoiceAmerica.com to discuss some of the factors and issues coming into play in the global economic recession, and how the crisis is specifically affecting banking careers.

Boasting over 25 years of experience in commercial and corporate banking, Mike is a bona fide expert in the banking field.  He has spent the majority of his career in Houston’s energy sector.  He managed the Industrial Bank of Japan’s Houston loan production office, and led both the Industrial Bank of Japan and the ABN AMRO Bank into the Houston reserve-based lending arena.  Mike currently holds a position with Trustmark Banking and Financial Solutions.  He is a CPA and received his MBA from the University of Houston and his BBA in Accounting from the University of Texas.

After the Industrial Bank of Japan closed Mike’s branch in 2003 and he came to our offices for outplacement services.  He remarked that at the time he was 50 years old and an expert in corporate banking and the energy and finance arenas, but he still needed to learn how to effectively market his skills for a new position.  Mike commended The Total System for providing him with a step-by-step approach to the job search process.  “The value in The Total System’s techniques for building an A+ resume, developing and understanding the networking process, writing letters, and following up with job leads is right on target.”  Mike also reflected on how valuable the assessment component of The Total System was in inspiring him to consider alternative career options and challenging him to think about how he could best use his skills to achieve his career goals.  In addition to providing a self-marketing strategy, Mike remarked on the importance of The Total System’s structure and practical steps.

Networking as the Prime Driver

We asked Mike to comment on how Job Search: The Total System can help individuals obtain banking careers in the current market.  “A networking approach is your foremost asset in a successful job search,” said Mike, “and The Total System provides job seekers with an effective step-by-step approach.”  He explained that networking allows the job seeker to learn about positions and careers in banking and to understand the essential skills and goals essential for success in the field.  “Networking also allows you to get your foot in the door and make yourself visible to an organization, so when a position opens up they immediately know who they will call…you!”  Mike recalled the vital role networking played in his own career transition, and revealed that a former boss actually referred him to his current position.  Never underestimate the power of building relationships and conveying positive expectations to your contacts…you never know where these relationships can lead you!

Along with networking, Mike pointed out the power of an A+ Resume and how it communicates your value as a potential employee.  He stated that The Total System gave him a strategy and framework for documenting his accomplishments in resume form.  The Total System approach enabled him to produce a resume that actually demonstrated what he accomplished and not merely present a litany of descriptions of his past positions.  By linking his A+ resume with strategic networking, strong references, and professionalism, Mike says his confidence soared and gave him the leverage to successfully complete his career transition.

Banking and Finance Career Opportunities in a Recession

Like nearly all industries, the banking and finance arenas have been suffering the effects of the global economic angst.  However, just as in other fields, all job opportunities in banking have not completely vanished!  For those who continue to actively pursue leads, network, and persevere, there are still desirable positions available.  Mike affirmed that banking will remain a vital component of the United States and global economies notwithstanding economic conditions, and the industry will always need people to work.  For current business and finance students looking to enter the industry, Mike suggested pursuing credit training programs that prepare individuals to matriculate into different lending groups.  He advised students to work with college and university career centers and to establish networking contacts in the banking and finance arenas to make themselves visible to the right people.  Mike remarked that the Houston economy, while currently slowing due to falling gas and energy prices, remains a favorable market offering good positions, and he suggested pursuing those opportunities as well.

Mike advised job seekers to remain open to different career options and consider positions in other areas of business, even if the ultimate goal is a banking or finance career.  Mike began his career in accounting, and recommends this as a viable career option because it provides the opportunity to obtain broad business knowledge and understanding.  He also suggested commercial lending, which he described as the sales force of the bank, for another sector that helps build financial and credit analytical skills, as well as people and business skills.

A Snapshot of the Economic Crisis

Mike ventured out on a limb and shared some of his insights into the current economic problems, how these issues are affecting various industries, and how we can expect to come out of the current crisis.  Mike remarked that while his bank, Trustmark, has reported increasing profits and its stocks have only fallen by small percentages, many larger banks have encountered problems resulting from losses on large sub-prime mortgage securities and losses on home-building portfolios. The lack of transparency and regulation in lending is another critical factor that fueled the economic downturn.  These issues have contributed to large deficits in the banking industry across the globe.  Recognizing the integral role banking and finance play in the global economy, many governments are responding with bailouts in order to revitalize the banking industry and the world economy.  Mike mentioned that the government will often purchase a bank’s or company’s stocks as a way of loaning money, and then the bank is ultimately responsible for returning the money to the government.  He commented that while too much government regulation could impede economic efficiency, today’s circumstances call for some increased regulation in order to prevent current problems from continuing or recurring.

In addition to banking and finance, the energy industry is beginning to feel the effects of the world economy’s downward spiral in the form of falling energy prices.  The demand for oil has been depressed by the weakened economy, resulting in significantly lower prices.  In addition, we face long-term oil shortages, and both of these factors have stimulated increasing demands for capital holds on oil, which will later be needed to develop new sources of energy.

Considering Related Industries to Banking and Finance

Mike shared his perspective on current trends and practices in the economic recession, as well as his final thoughts on job opportunities in the market today.  There have been numerous company and individual bankruptcies as a result of the economic downturn, and consequently many loan departments are adding to their staffs to manage the additional workloads.  Mike recommended exploring career opportunities in this area, and also suggested searching for industry positions that interface with bankers.  Often clients will hire their bankers to work in their company’s treasury area, and this can be another excellent way to break into the financial arena.  Mike emphasized that there will continue to be any number of positions with large commercial, regional, and local independent banks, so it is always beneficial to look at various banks to ascertain their hiring needs.  He advised individuals to thoroughly assess their preferences, skills and goals to determine if banking would be a fulfilling career path.  Then he recommended consulting Job Search: Total System and going through each step of the process to ensure finding the best match.

The banking industry is and will remain a vital part of the global economy, and as such there will continue to be job and career opportunities.  Even amid the current economic turbulence, there are still opportunities, so it all becomes a matter of combining perseverance with the best job search strategy.  In bleak economic times, The Total System’s networking approach is even more important than ever!  Establishing and maintaining contacts ensures that you remain visible to potential employers when positions become available.  In addition, building an A+ resume that markets your experience and skills to the banking industry will make you even more appealing and help you find a position that is the best fit for you.  In tough times, your skills are your best leverage of all!

Listen to the entire show.

Visit Total Career Success.

Posted by Sheryl Dawson

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Thanks to professional resume writer and career counselor Cliff Flamer for the reminder that many job search expenses (such as money you pay professional resume writers and career coaches) can be deducted from your taxes. Cliff goes into some detail here on his blog about the kinds of things you can deduct. Of course, you'll have to itemize, and that's a bummer. But if you own a house, you probably already have to do that, anyway.

Cliff is a really nice guy whom I met at the NRWA conference this fall. And I'm not just saying that because, as Certification Chair, he will hold my fate in his hands when I apply to become a Nationally Certified Resume Writer later this spring!

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VoiceAmerica Radio Interview with Dr. Manny Contomanolis, President of National Association of Colleges & Employers

Finding a job that is “the perfect fit,” even for individuals with pages of references and years of experience, often proves to be a challenging task. If you are a college student or recent graduate seeking a professional position for the first time, the job search process can seem almost overwhelming. After all, you are charting unfamiliar territory that is far removed from the comfortable academic routine of college. But do not despair! With your degree and intelligence, eagerness and enthusiasm, and a little help from Total Career Success, you will soon secure the perfect job and be on the road to success.

This week on “Total Career Success” on VoiceAmerica.com, we sat down with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) President Manny Contomanolis and recent college graduate and TCS alumnus Katie Keyser to discuss issues and trends facing college students and recent graduates who are currently involved in job searches.  The “Total Career Success” radio show focused specifically on job markets and trends for first-time job seekers, as well as tools for success and finding the right fit for YOU.

The International Scene:

One of the significant issues discussed with Manny Contomanolis was the increasing “globalization” of job searches and job markets. So as college graduates dive into the professional world for the first time, they are really plunging into a diverse and geographically expanding market of opportunity that promises to continue to broaden in international scope. Before the job search anxiety begins to rise as a result of this revelation, consider what this burgeoning international scene means for the world outside of a job search. Vast amounts of knowledge and culture are being exchanged and there are now so many incredible opportunities for new cultural and professional experiences! Hopefully that realization transforms anxiety to excitement and enthusiasm for first-time job seekers.

Manny Contomanolis confirmed that employers and professionals across the world see talent as a global resource, which means that college students and recent graduates are not only themselves part of this global pool of talent, but they have opportunities – more than any other generation – to increase their knowledge and learn from their peers across the globe. Throughout the program Dr. Contomanolis continued to emphasize that it is becoming vitally important for students and recent graduates to recognize the international scope of the job market as a way of increasing their knowledge and setting themselves apart from the growing pools of applicants to any given position.  Total Career Success has been designed specifically with the international market in mind. The tools and strategies put forth in TCS – from resume preparation to networking to interviewing – will ensure career success in a global professional environment.

Technology:

The program also addressed the role of technology in job searches. Technology and the “globalization” of the job market and professional world go hand-in-hand. As technology has facilitated information exchange, it has dramatically shrunk the world! And in many ways it has “flattened” the playing field, thus allowing everyone to get in the international game. For first-time job seekers who want to tap the international job market, technology and the Internet are essential for exchanging and acquiring information quickly. On the Internet, job seekers have access to numerous databases and websites that provide essential job search resources. Many companies have websites that contain information about their services and missions, as well as job descriptions and what they look for in potential employees. In addition, technology can be used as a valuable networking tool. Some organizations provide contact information for employees, some universities have alumni databases, and social networking and direct e-mail are often a good ways to keep in touch with contacts and expand your list of potential employers.

Finding the Right Fit and Your Personal Touch:

As Dr. Contomanolis stated, and employers affirm almost universally, employers look for candidates with strong communication skills, the ability to work in team settings, analytical/problem-solving skills, and the ability to learn and adapt. First-time job seekers can cite experiences they have had to highlight these and other core skills. Also, since students and recent graduates may have limited previous professional experiences, it is important for them to emphasize to prospective employers their ability and eagerness to learn and gain understanding and experience.

Beyond these universal core skills, it is good for first-time job seekers to do thorough self-assessments to decipher and better understand their skills, the broad ranges of their abilities, and their individual personalities in order to find the best organization and position for them. By articulating their passions and knowing their skills, individuals entering the job market for the first time can target their job search to fit their preferences, narrowing the focus of their search. The result is more quickly and easily finding the best position to fit their desires and needs.

Dr. Contomanolis also cautioned that while technology serves as an important and essential job search tool, one should never underestimate the power of making a personal connection through face-to-face contacts. When individuals know themselves and their passions and then pick up the phone or meet a contact or prospective employer in person, their knowledge and personality come through in the conversation. He declared that the most important thing in landing your perfect job is the personal connection with the employer and organization so that both the candidate and the employer know that it is the right fit.

TCS provides the foundational tools for a fruitful job search, which individuals customize to meet their needs. They ultimately make their “personal connections” through the way they uniquely incorporate preparation, perseverance, and a positive attitude into their searches. The program touched on the challenges job seekers face amid an economic recession and the global financial crisis, emphasizing that now more than ever it is essential to prepare, persevere, and stay positive. Remaining committed to the job search by researching, networking, and preparing for interviews, coupled with an eagerness to land the right job and begin a successful career immediately, will set you apart and enable you to find a “perfect fit” job!

Listen to the show.

Posted by Sheryl Dawson

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Are you interested in working for the federal government? The FBI has announced that it will hire almost 3,000 new employees. These include adding 850 special agents and 2,100 professional positions, such as accounting and human resources. The FBI has openings at most field offices in addition to its headquarters. Learn more about the openings at the FBI's new job site. You can only apply for positions via this site. Review the application process carefully and learn about the candidate screening process. www.fbijobs.gov

Source: Career Management Alliance

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So you have a perfect resume, a top-notch cover letter, glowing reference letters, and the confidence and attitude to interview like a pro.  Ready.  Set.  Job search success… almost.  Your preparation, positive attitude, and resume are vital to the life and success of your job search, however there is one integral element missing from this scenario… networking.  It is easy to underestimate its value and dismiss it, but in fact seventy five to eighty percent of jobs today are found through contacts and associations.  Cold calling seem too intimidating?  For many the answer is a resounding yes.  Even approaching an acquaintance or friend to discuss jobs and careers can create some nervousness and trepidation.  Yet networking remains arguably the most important tool in a successful job search, so take a deep breath and commit to networking your way to a better job and better career.  This week on “Total Career Success” on VoiceAmerica.com we invited Andrea Sittig-Rolf, founder of Sittig Incorporated and author of Power Referrals: The Ambassador Method for Empowering Others to Promote Your Business and Do the Selling for You, to discuss insights for building lasting relationships and tips for job search and career success

Networking in a Nutshell

If we consider networking in broad terms, it is something we do nearly every single day.  When we encounter other individuals we engage in conversations, share our ideas and experiences, and exchange advice and assistance.  In doing so we establish contacts and connections with people, whether they remain mere acquaintances or become close friends.  As we communicate and build these relationships each and every day, we are constantly networking, and this gives us new opportunities to learn, grow, and expand our horizons.  Networking enables us to do the same thing when we apply it to our careers.  If we make the effort to take advantage of every opportunity we have to interact with individuals, we can learn from them, enhance our journeys, and achieve our career goals.

Networking remains one of the most vital components of a successful job search.  In Job Search: The Total System, we talk about the hidden job market, which consists of those positions not posted or made public in newspaper ads or online databases.  Many jobs are “hidden” in the minds of employers.  They could be positions that will become available or will be created, or they may be jobs that employers have simply chosen not to publicize.  Many people who obtain “hidden” jobs do so through networking, and so your associations are essential if you want to broaden your opportunities and break into the hidden market.  Establish relationships with individuals who have connections in a company you would like to target, and become part of their networks so that your name and resume are visible when a position opens or a company begins hiring.

It is also always important to broaden the way we think about networking.  Our networks are made up of diverse and unique individuals and are more multifaceted than we probably know.  Contacts may be family, friends, classmates, and teachers, or they could be individuals we may have met in passing at a gathering or other social event.  Social networking sites like LinkedIn, as well as professional associations, business communities, religious organizations, and numerous others also provide us with opportunities to grow our social circles and expand our contacts.  When we broaden how we think about networking we will begin developing relationships with individuals that we otherwise may have never met.

Networking, like all aspects of a job search, requires effort and a positive mental attitude.  It is important to be proactive and enthusiastic when establishing contacts.  Make an initial phone call or offer to meet a contact for lunch or coffee, and take those opportunities to express your interests and show the other person you care.  Take a genuine interest in your contacts and what they have to say, and your honesty, candor, and enthusiasm will in turn propel them to take an interest in you, your abilities, and your potential.  Expanding your network with enthusiasm will open doors to new jobs and opportunities for career advancement, and as an added benefit, it may awaken some latent passions, talents, and goals you had not previously realized.

Power Referrals with Andrea Sittig-Rolf

Andrea Sittig-Rolf is the founder of the corporate sales training and business development firm Sittig Incorporated and creator of the program The Blitz Experience.  She is also a successful author, columnist, and radio show host, and she joined us this week to talk about how building relationships into referrals can help us achieve our goals faster.  We asked Andrea to explain the inspiration and strategies behind her hugely successful sales training program, The Blitz Experience, and how it has enabled numerous professionals to increase sales and grow their businesses.  She explained that The Blitz Experience uses an inspirational methodology and unique, customized workshops to help professionals achieve real results.  Each day the workshops foster fun, exciting, and competitive work environments and define specific objectives – or “niches” – for participants.  These two elements – a positive atmosphere and clear, specific goals – work synergistically to unleash power and excitement in individuals, thereby inspiring them to make business connections, build contacts, and achieve results.  The Blitz Experience workshops empower professionals and encourage them to communicate positively with others and share their successes with them.  Conveying a high level of energy and sharing success stories enables professionals to overcome obstacles and efficiently reach their goals.

Sittig-Rolf’s book Power Referrals: The Ambassador Method for Empowering Others to Promote Your Business and Do the Selling for You emerged out of The Blitz Experience practices and methodology.  It encourages readers and professionals to communicate with others and build relationships in ways that empower the other person.  The practice of encouraging and validating others propels them to take a genuine interest in helping you.  Mutual respect and genuine interest foster a strong rapport between two parties, and the power of this kind of partnership is that people begin to talk about you and promote you, even in your absence.  Sittig-Rolf defines these partnerships – characterized by reciprocity – as ambassador relationships.  If you help others and project a positive image of yourself, your ambassadors will promote you.

In her book Sittig-Rolf promotes the A.C.T. (Acquire Cultivate Teach) concept as the paradigm for developing successful ambassador relationships.  You must help your ambassadors promote you by cultivating relationships with them, communicating with them, and teaching them how to promote you and your business.  Make your resume, business cards, contact information, and other resources easily accessible so it becomes a natural and effortless process for them to promote you.  Teach your ambassadors about yourself by sharing what you have achieved, what sets you apart, and what you will bring to a position.  The details that you share with your ambassadors are what companies and potential employers want to know about you and what your ambassadors love to share!  Remember, always think big, project your visionary plans and ideas, and sell yourself!

The measure of success of your ambassador relationships depends not only on your strategy but also on your mindset and approach to these partnerships.  People want to work with happy, positive, and energetic people, and so it is important to always be upbeat and confident as you develop relationships.  Despite nervousness, reservations, or introverted inclinations, it is important to always project confidence when communicating with others.  As you practice and convey confidence, networking will become more natural, and it will enrich your interactions with others and enhance the image they have of you.

In the last segment of the show, Andrea Sittig-Rolf shared with us some extra insights on power referrals and building successful ambassador relationships and networking contacts.  It is often easy to see the tremendous value and potential in other people and overlook our own unique qualities, but Sittig-Rolf mentioned that we should never lose sight of what we bring to our relationships.  She defined this as “social currency,” or the value that we contribute to a partnership and how we can help other people.  When you approach contacts or ambassadors, think of ways you can bestow networking benefits; take a genuine interest in assisting others, and they will feel compelled to give back to you and return the favor.  Andrea also recommends making phone calls and talking to people you want to incorporate into your network, writing thank you notes to your contacts, and even setting up Google Alerts so you can receive updates that can benefit both you and your ambassadors.

Networking remains an influential factor in successful job searches and career development, and by incorporating it into your job search and plans for career advancement you will broaden your prospects and enhance your knowledge and career potential.  Add power referrals to your perfect resume, sparkling cover letter, and flawless interviewing techniques, and you will leverage your networking beyond your expectations to discover new horizons of job and career potential.

Posted by Sheryl Dawson

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David Zinger, M.Ed., a leading expert on both employee engagement and strength based leadership, shares "Six Employee Engagement Questions for 2009". To learn what those questions are, go to:

http://www.davidzinger.com/six-employee-engagement-questions-for-2009-1631/

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Today is a milestone in a profound cultural shift in our country, a transformation in our national mindset on leadership, inclusion, community, responsibility and service. Barack Obama said in his inauguration speech, For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace. We can make it happen. As Adrianna Huffington wrote, Barack Obama is not the only one being inaugurated on January 20th. We all are . . . but also the expectation that a knight in shining armor will ride into town and save us while we cheer from the sidelines. Even if the knight is brilliant, charismatic, and inspiring. It’s up to us — We the People. Posted by Murray A. Mann, Principal of Global Diversity Solutions Group, LLC and co-author of Barrons The Complete Job Search Guide for Latinos

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“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve . . .” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, we participated in a national day of service along with hundreds of thousands of Americans. It was also a day about bridging cultural and generational divides between Veterans, Boomers, Xs and Ys. So, Who is Generation S and Why Will We Make a Difference? Generation S is the convergence of all generations uniting to take responsibility for each other and future of our nation through service. Generation S builds upon the strength of our countrys diversity of backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and perspectives as we unite to serve. Generation S is a movement that can profoundly transform the culture of our country to one that fulfills the true meaning of inclusion and empowers people to control their destinies. On the eve of his historic inauguration, President-elect Barack Obama appealed to the nation to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. through service to others. “It’s not a day just to pause and reflect _ it’s a day to act,” Obama said on King’s national holiday. “I ask the American people to turn today’s efforts into an ongoing commitment to enriching the lives of others in their communities, their cities, and their country.” ServiceNation, a coalition of 120 organizations with a collective reach of some 100 million Americans, is one of the leading forces in this call for a New Era Of Service. ServiceNation serves as a portal for opportunities volunteer opportunities across the country. Have you joined Generation S? Read the full Declaration of Service and sign the pledge. We will discuss the impact of Generation S on the future of the workplace in upcoming entries. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. Posted by Murray A. Mann, Principal of Global Diversity Solutions Group, LLC and co-author of Barrons The Complete Job Search Guide for Latinos DECLARATION OF SERVICE (more…)

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Despite all the bad news, people are getting hired. We are seeing this personally as 5 people who completed resumes with us had multiple offers in the last 30 days. Yet the days of putting your resume up on Monster.com and waiting for the phone to ring are over. People who are getting hired are putting together an aggressive plan. So here are the core ingredients that make up a successful job search.

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