Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Is there A Silver Lining in the Job Loss Cloud? New Careers or New Locations to Consider

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Marci Alboher, author of New York Times column and blog, Shifting Careers, which recently ended its run, tweeted about a piece on the NBC Nightly News in which she commented. The segment, which is called, “Layoffs Land Some in Second Career,” tries to focus on a potential positive outcome of being let go from a job, especially a long-term career position. The upside? Turning a negative into a positive by retraining for a different career, possibly one that was once a pipe dream or seemed unrealistic.

In the piece, they highlight a former Wall Street executive who decided to go to school to become a chef after losing her finance job. It had been a long-time dream, and she decided to view the lay-off as a doorway to a new career.

The woman in the segment was able to use her savings to pay for schooling, but Marci suggests in the piece that there is scholarship money for those willing to look for it. If you are considering changing fields and retraining, another NBC segment (Recession Proof Jobs) suggests the following industries to consider:

  • Healthcare. Reports show that 1 in every 5 jobs in the next 5 or 6 years will be in health care. This includes doctors and nurses, home healthcare aides and new medical technology experts.
  • Education. In certain parts of the country, especially in the west (California, Utah) as well as in places such as Georgia and Kansas, there is a big need for post-secondary teachers, elementary school teachers and substitutes. Apparently, Connecticut has such a shortage of subs, they were calling in parents to watch classes when teachers were out! While substitute teaching isn’t necessarily a career path itself, you can certainly look into this option while pursuing other training or looking for steady work.
  • Technology. There’s a big need for network systems administrators and main frame experts.

Unless you already have a background in these fields, re-training will be required, but at least you’ll probably be buying yourself some job security for the next few years!

None of these areas appeal to you? Lindsey Pollak suggested some other resources to consider in a recent blog post. Some of her suggestions:

  • North Dakota is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers.
  • BusinessWeek offers a list of places to ride out the recession.
  • The following industries have potential, according to one study: railroads and utilities, the logging and mining sector, food, drink and tobacco manufacturing as well as oil pipeline transportation.
  • President-elect Obama pledged to create a huge public works program to stimulate the economy, which will mean jobs in that sector. Lindsey suggests that  “you could set up a Google news alert for phrases such as “public works,” “national infrastructure” or “expanding broadband access” to keep abreast of this growth segment.
  • Accounting is a growth industry.
  • Looking to move outside the U.S.? Lindsey notes that Australia and Dubai are two hotbeds of job opportunities to consider.

The point is – even if you aren’t interested in moving to North Dakota, Australia or Dubai, keeping your options open and thinking beyond the obvious could help propel your search. With open eyes and a strong career search strategy, there ARE opportunities, even in an economy that seems to be spiraling down the drain.

What other locations or fields are offering opportunities? Share your thoughts in the comments!

You’ll want to be competitive no matter what your field of choice. I can help you succeed by writing a great resume and teaching you how to leverage your strengths and skills for today’s job market! www.keppiecareers.com.

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Are You Jumping from the Frying Pan Into the Fire? Would You Accept a Position Because You are Desperate for a Job?

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Maybe you’ve been out of work for a while. You are watching your savings dwindle, the holidays aren’t looking very jolly and you are envisioning a long wait for the right job.

So, when you finally land an offer, it is easy to try to overlook the fact that:

  • During your interactions with the company, they treated you badly,
  • They weren’t particularly well organized and
  • Everyone working there seemed unhappy.

I’ve written about this before, but since today’s economy seems even more likely than ever to make job seekers grab the first job that comes their way, it seems a good time to remind everyone to consider a few important facts:

  • When a company is hiring, an applicant should assume that they (the company) are on their “best behavior” during the process.  So, if arrangements are disorganized, interviewers seem unfriendly, people around the office seem unhappy or disgruntled, someone makes a snide remark about the boss or HR is unclear about the position’s duties – consider yourself forewarned.
  • If you take a job with a company that you know comes with problems, you may very well be jumping from the frying pan (unemployment) to the fire (employment with a badly run organization).
  • If you are miserable in your new job, it will be difficult to spend time searching for yet another job, and you may wind up in a situation (if you leave the  new job) of explaining why you left, which is never easy.

The main point of this post is not to convince you not to take a job offer that will help you pay your bills. It’s to remind you that you should try not to let desperation make a decision for you. If you go into a situation with your eyes open to potential problems, don’t put on rose-colored glasses and assume everything is going to be okay. Use whatever skills you can muster to manage yourself and protect your career. Focus on how you can make the most of the situation while you are there.

I’m a big believer in the idea that awareness of a problem actually helps lead to a solution. So, if you take a job despite red flags during the interview process, remember that forewarned is forearmed. Act accordingly.

Have you REALLY done everything you can to help yourself and the RIGHT job? We can help! You may need a transformed resume, some outside-of-the-box advice and a professional to coach you along. I can help you! www.keppiecareers.com

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After a Lay-Off – Don’t Fall Into these Traps

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One constant in job seeking is that there is no ONE “right” way to do anything. For example, some recruiters don’t appreciate thank you notes. Others require or expect them. (I maintain that it is safest to send them!)  There is, however, advice that seems to be ubiquitous. If you are job hunting as a result of a lay-off, Sarah Needleman offers some terrific, always relevant advice in her article for the Wall Street Journal. To avoid putting your foot in your mouth, keep these tips in mind! (Tips are from the article; commentary is my own.)

When applying, avoid expressing bitterness or self-pity. There’s no need to be specific about the circumstances of your job loss in your initial communication. While you should have an answer to the question about how and why you left your job for an interview, being laid off is not as much of a stigma as it once was, so don’t get too worked up about it. Focus on the positives – that you still have great skills to offer and are looking forward to using them for a new company.

Signal Confidence. Don’t be overly thankful! The article suggests that it isn’t a good idea to include lines such as, “Thank you so much for giving me consideration” as this may be a signal a lack of confidence. Don’t be overly self-confident, but make it clear what you have to offer instead of groveling and begging for consideration.

Be flexible and not fussy. There’s no question that employers will prefer candidates willing to do what it takes to get the job done. Demonstrate that you are a team player who is willing to hit the ground running.

But, don’t be TOO accommodating! Needleman reports that Russ Riendeau, a senior executive recruiter, does not believe candidates who say they are willing to go anywhere, travel all of the time or make other difficult concessions.  “When I hear that, I know it’s not true,” he says. “I know I’m dealing with a desperate candidate.” So – be flexible, but don’t come off as desperate!

Some unemployed job hunters also hurt their chances by volunteering to take a significantly lower salary than what they earned in their last job. Some recruiters will hold it against you if you offer to take a pay cut of more than 20%. I always suggest waiting as long as possible to discuss salary. Focus on why you are a strong candidate for the job and indicate what aspects appeal to you beyond salary. (Maybe the company specializes in an area where you know you can really contribute.) If you have good reasons for being willing to take a pay cut (beyond the fact that you will take any job to pay the bills), you’ll be more competitive.

Don’t forget – recruiters need to be sure you’ll stay in the job, or they may lose their fees or their credibility with their clients. If you seem like the type of candidate who will leave at the first opportunity, you aren’t going to be considered particularly desirable!

What other ideas do you have? I invite recruiters and candidates to share experiences in the comments!

Don’t forget that Keppie Careers can help you find the job you’ve been seeking, no matter what your circumstances: www.keppiecareers.com.

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How to Get Hired By a Great Employer

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As more and more people are looking for work, knowing how to approach your targeted employer is key. Award winning employers share some characteristics, and you’ll want to be prepared to be competitive.

For tips on looking for a job with an award-winning organization, read the blog I wrote for GreatPlaceJobs HERE!


It’s always important to know how to target an employer. We can help you stay competitive. Contact Keppie Careers to learn how we can help with you search!

Worried About Finding a Job? Keep Things in Perspective

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Looking around, it may seem like getting a job in this economy is about as easy as climbing Mount Everest. Unemployment is up, more talented people are losing their jobs and the thought of a job hunt is pretty daunting for most professionals, especially those who have not needed to look for a job in a long time.

However, I believe that keeping a positive attitude and taking advantage of all of all available tools at their disposal can help job seekers be successful, even in seemingly bleak times. In her blog for Examiner.com, Heather Huhman reports some heartening findings.

For example, news isn’t all that bad if you have a college degree. Rob McGovern, CEO Jobfox says the unemployment rate is only 3.1 percent for professionals with college degrees.

Heather reports on McGovern’s recommendations for students and recent graduates looking for work. I think these tips apply to all job seekers. (Commentary is my own.)

1. Listen to feedback. Read your past employment reviews and ask people what they think you should highlight as your best qualities. Ask friends, but also ask colleagues and people who know you in a variety of different personal and professional settings. Take their suggestions to heart and think about what you have to offer.
2. Stay on top of emerging trends in your industry of choice. Set “Google alerts” for your industry and organizations you are targeting for your search. Keep your eyes and ears open for information that you can use during networking conversations and interviews.
3. Work on basic people skills. McGovern notes that, “Study after study suggests that warm smiles and firm handshakes go a long way in creating lasting first impressions.” I’ve written about the importance of “soft skills.” Don’t forget that getting a job isn’t only about the sum of your skills, but the way you present them! (For a list of soft skills, click HERE and scroll to the bottom.)
4. Attitude adjustment. A positive personality can go a long way. Be confident and able to concisely describe what you have to offer. You’ll be surprised how important your attitude is in your job search.
5. Keep your perspective. Everything I read reminds me that, even in a recession, jobs still need to get done. There are jobs out there. Be sure you are well prepared to compete for them!
Many clients come to me after a long, bleak search that resulted in no interviews. They are surprised to realize that their lack of success was not due to factors beyond their control (such as age, experience or the job market itself), but because they were not marketing their skills properly. We can help you shorten your search! Learn more about Keppie Careers at www.keppiecareers.com.
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