Like most trends that are fortunate enough to endure, they unfold, evolve and are fluid. They move to different places in their cycles, as they are impacted by the times, consumer behavior and demographic shifts.
Voltaire said it best: “when you rest, you rust”. Being a change agent and advocate for yourself today is an intangible skill that can and will take you far. Get used to it and make it a way of life.
There is not a more integral or enduring fact of our life that defines us, gives us our self esteem, self value and helps us to feel rooted than our careers, work and job life. Yes, family is a core and a center, but our work and careers are where we spend over 50% of our time in life.
The new norm then is career transition and reinvention as a way of life
The ability we now all need is to be a change agent, stop on a dime, change directions, and make lemonade out of lemons. Nothing is too secure or certain other than expecting and embracing rapid change and all the opportunity that it can bring as our new norm. Exciting and daunting. Who has a lot of experience in this? Not many, but those that move, pounce and do will fair the best.
What this means is that one can still get a degree, certification or specialize, but probably won’t stay in one job, place or position nearly as long as they used to. The increased pace of change, new skills and technologies being invented and applied consistently, and the evolution of four generations all impact career transition now.
Consider these trends and how they have and are impacting everything
85% of all brand purchases are made by women.
The Baby Boomer Generation has more money, leisure time and technology than any other generation in history. (Baby Boomer Magazine)
The empowered customer is now in control of the business relationship (IBM Study)
U.S. Millennials are actively engaged in consuming and influencing.
Asian Americans are the highest-income, best-educated and fastest- growing race group in the U.S, making up the largest share of recent immigrants. (Pew)
2007 to 2011, employment increased 19.9 million to 20.7 million for Hispanics and 6.9 million to 7.2 million for Asians (Pew)
Regardless if you’ve been let go, layed off, down sized, fired or voluntarily left a career or job, embracing career transition as a way of life can retore your sanity and confidence because you will learn new skills sets and ways to manage it. It’s a fact of life and a way of life now.
Here are a few musts to manage your career transition, as a way of life
- Accept your reality and make it part of what you manage daily.
- Skill up and build more personal value.
- Step up your networking in person and online.
- Use more social media to personally brand yourself.
- Ramp up your attitude, energy, vibe and influence.
Here are some resources and sites that can help you!
Careerealism.com
http://www.monsterworking.com/
http://online.wsj.com/home-page
CareerTransition-Maketheshift.com
One more thought to send you on your journey:
“‘Tis the set of the sail that decides the goal, and not the storm of life” ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Author:
Deborah Shane is career author, branding/media strategist, nationally published writer and speaker. She hosts her Toolbox Blog and a popular weekly business radio show that has over 42K downloads! She is a regular contributor to several national blogs and websites, including Smallbiztrends.com, MonsterWorking.com, Blogher.com, Personalbrandingblog.com. Her book Career Transition-make the shift is available on Amazon.com and all major book sellers. Deborah delivers smart, no-nonsense ideas and solutions, which make her a popular go-to resource for national media including CNN, CBS, Fox. Engage with her @DeborahShane, and visit her at www.deborahshane.com.
