Career Management Alliance Blog

In honor of Job Action Day, The Career Collective is offering advice and strategies on how job seekers can secure their future in a changed economy. Here are my thought on the topic… Frequently when I work with job seekers, many think about their skill sets as they relate to a particular function or industry. For example, a finance professional searches for roles in a bank, a creative director scopes out positions with advertising agencies, an editor reviews opportunities at publishing houses, and a lawyer searches for a position in a law firm or large corporation. But the reality is that the competencies that these professionals possess can add great value to emerging and high growth industries. And in order to stay relevant and employable in 2009 and beyond, job seekers will need to find the intersection between their competencies and emerging industries to land successfully in these turbulent times. Here are some facts related to stimulus money and industries trending upward to get you thinking about where the jobs will be in 2009 and beyond. High Tech, Green Tech, and Sustainability Close to $30 billion is being allocated for smart-grid related activities, energy efficiency and conservation grants, renewable energy research, grant funding for the manufacturing of advanced battery systems and vehicle batteries, wind, solar, and electricity transmission projects, and alternative fuel. In addition, many traditional industries are “greening” their products and services. Examples of greening industries include construction, IT, printing, real estate, hospitality, and event planning. And as the green movement continues to gain momentum, new  opportunities for traditional professionals will evolve. For example, as more people begin to support and embrace green industries, the demand for green investor advisory services may also be on the rise and there will be a need for green lawyers to facilitate the legal, regulatory, and government hurdles that businesses will face when implementing a more sustainable workplace. Science and Energy Funding and Initiatives Approximately $20B in funding will be used for federal building energy efficiency, fossil energy research and development, and weatherization assistance programs. Transportation Nearly $20B will be designated for transportation and infrastructure funding including investments in public transportation and Amtrak high speed and intercity rail. Government Hiring of new employees in upper level government positions has steadily increased from 25% in 1990 to more than 40% in 2008. Reasons for selecting candidates from outside the government sector include the need to fill a skills gap, improve workforce quality, get a fresh perspective, improve workforce diversity, and meet succession planning goals. Healthcare People are living longer and more agencies and services are needed to take care of the aging population. Many of the boomers have disposable income for elective surgery, fitness, nutritional counseling, and any products and services that make them feel better and younger. So regardless of what you do…sales, marketing, technology, administration, operations…there is a way for you to retool your “wares”  to land a job in this new economy. I encourage you to visit other Career Collective responses by visiting the links below. Meg Montford:  Job Action Day: Finding Your “MOJO” After Layoff http://coachmeg.typepad.com/career_chaos/2009/10/job-action-day-finding-your-mojo-after-layoff.html Debra Wheatman: Plan B from outer space; or what do you have in case your first plan doesn’t work out? http://resumesdonewrite.blogspot.com/2009/10/plan-b-from-outer-space-or-what-do-you.html Heather Mundell: Green Jobs – What They Are and How to Find Them, http://dbcs.typepad.com/lifeatwork/2009/10/green-jobs-what-they-are-and-how-to-find-them.html Erin Kennedy: Cutting Edge Job Search Blueprint http://exclusive-executive-resumes.com/resumes/job-search-blueprint/ Grace Kutney: Securing Your Career While Navigating the Winds of Change http://sweetcareers.blogspot.com/2009/10/securing-your-career-while-navigating.html Hannah Morgan: Career Sherpa– Why Our Job Search Advice is the Same but Different http://hannahmorgan.typepad.com/hannah_morgan/2009/10/why-our-job-search-advice-is-the-same-but-different.html Gayle Howard: The Enlightened Jobseeker http://www.theexecutivebrand.com/?p=500 Laurie Berenson: Making lemonade out of lemons: Turn unemployment into entrepreneurship http://blog.sterlingcareerconcepts.com/2009/10/30/making-lemonade-out-of-lemons-turn-unemployment-into-entrepreneurship.aspx Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter: You Can Thrive In, Not Just Survive, an Economic Slogging http://careertrend.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/you-can-thrive-not-just-survive-an-economic-slogging/ Rosalind Joffe: Preparedness: It’s Not Just for Boyscouts http://workingwithchronicillness.com/2009/10/preparedness-its-not-just-for-boy-scouts/ Rosa E. Vargas: Are You Evolving Into The In-Demand Professional of Tomorrow? http://resume-writing.typepad.com/resume_writing_and_job_se/2009/10/furture-careers.html Dawn Bugni: Your network IS your net worth http://thewritesolution.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/your-network-is-your-net-worth/ Miriam Salpeter: Optimize your job hunt for today’s economy http://www.keppiecareers.com/2009/10/30/optimize-your-job-hunt-for-todays-ecomony/ GL Hoffman: The Life of An Entrepreneur: Is It for You? http://blogs.jobdig.com/wwds/2009/10/30/the-life-of-an-entrepreneur-is-it-for-you/ Katharine Hansen: Job Action Day 09: His Resume Savvy Helped New Career Rise from Layoff Ashes http://www.resumesandcoverletters.com/tips_blog/job_action_day_09_his_resume_s.html Martin Buckland: Job Search–The Key to Securing Your Future Career. http://aneliteresume.com/job-search/the-key-to-securing-your-future-career/ Chandlee Bryan: Where the Green Jobs Are: http://emergingprofessional.typepad.com/the_emerging_professional/2009/11/where-the-green-jobs-are.html Heather R. Huhman, Take Action: 10 Steps for Landing an Entry-Level Job, http://www.heatherhuhman.com/2009/10/take-action/ Print This Post

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