Experts struggle to define today’s job market, but they agree on one thing. It isn’t your father’s hiring situation, or even your own pre-2008.
Bill Daugette had been out of the job market for 10 to 12 years when he was let go from his construction management consulting firm last year.
His last job search involved sending out a few résumés. Now those résumés need key words for computer screening, and candidates must learn to navigate job boards, Internet postings, social media and a variety of networking activities.
“It’s a whole new job just to find a job, and it can be a real roller coaster ride,” said Daugette.
In a year, he has expanded his career horizons, overhauled his résumé, joined LinkedIn, learned to use Skype, earned a project management certification and brushed up his presentation skills. He joined professional associations and spent three months working in Kuwait away from his family to gain valuable experience.
He’s now happily employed as a project manager for David Pattillo & Associates, an Atlanta construction dispute resolution and risk management firm.
“A job transition is a time to reboot yourself and to get help from professionals and anyone else who can give you the tools you need to make the transition,” he said. “You have to do the work, but people are generally willing to help if you ask. You build confidence as you go.”
Daugette sought help from career counselor Gail Geary, owner of Atlanta Career Transition and author of “Your Next Career: Do What You've Always Wanted to Do.” A former teacher, vice president of sales and corporate lawyer, Geary has been helping people find meaningful work for 16 years.
“The first step in a career transition is to unload your bucket,” Geary said. “Whether you’re out of work or unhappy, you need to talk to a trusted friend or counselor who can be objective.” Make use of professional career counselors, outplacement services, the Georgia Department of Labor career centers or volunteer organizations, such as the Crossroads Career Network.
“It’s important to get out the negative emotions, to grieve, vent and move on,” she said. “Chart what you did or did not like about your last job -- the long commute, inflexible hours, the paperwork -- and what you want for future employment.”
Taking a comprehensive career assessment, such as the Birkman or Myers Briggs, can help you see more options and set better goals. It can open you to new occupations.
“The Birkman told me the career areas and work environment that suited my interests and personality,” said Sue Golubic, assistant to the CEO, sales support and receptionist at Digital Tigers Inc., a computer company in Norcross.
She had worked for a medical distributor for 22 years that was acquired and shut down in 2008. After the stresses of being the operations manager, Golubic took two years off to pursue some personal interests, but missed working. In January, she got serious about finding a job.
“I thought I should know how to do this, but I didn’t study career counseling in school,” she said. “Finding a specialist to help me was a good investment, and I’m glad I did it. Gail [Geary] helped me get on LinkedIn, taught me the value of networking and helped me practice for tough interview questions.” Her new job came through networking. She had told a recruiter friend that she was looking.
“You have to know what you want to do and what you can do, but in this market, you also need to make employment trends work for you. Some occupational areas are stronger than others, so you might want to transfer your skills to a growing industry, like transportation or health care. You’ll have greater success fishing where the fish are,” Geary said.
Sites such as www.indeed.com and employment outlook surveys by Manpower and the Department of Labor can provide information about what occupations are in demand and where.
Marty Atherton was having no luck finding a volunteer management position, even with 15 years of experience working for nonprofit organizations. Seeing nonprofits cut staff, Geary encouraged Atherton to take her passion for caring for people and start an independent caregiver business.
“I love helping people one-on-one and knew I could care for seniors, children or people with special needs because of my past work experiences,” she said.
Geary helped Atherton to get first-aid and CPR training and to register with several online agencies to promote her services. “Having someone walk with me through the process helped me to make the next phase of my life not just one where I can live, but where I can thrive,” she said.
SOME RESOURCES
Websites:
ATLwork.com: www.atlwork.com/jobseekers/resources/counseling.php
Crossroads Career Network: www.crossroadscareer.org
Georgia Department of Labor: www.dol.state.ga.us
Hallie Crawford, certified career coach: www.halliecrawford.com
Gail Geary, career management consultant: www.atlantacareertransition.com
Books:
Ben Hudson, "How to Find Work … When There Are No Jobs"
Skip Freeman, " ‘Headhunter’ Hiring Secrets: The Rules of the Hiring Game Have Changed … Forever!"
About the Author
