Master Career Counselor

Carla Hunter, President of Career Span, Inc. is a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association and a Certified Career Coach by the National Board for Certified Counselors. She is an expert in writing resumes, effective job search strategies and interviewing success. Most recently, with over 20 years of navigating the complexity of today's world of work, she published "Finding Your Place in the World of Work", a career interest inventory (2014) and CareerView, an iPad app. As a private practice career counselor and a workforce development consultant, this blog is Carla's trove of ideas, trends, forecasts, and career tips for finding meaningful work.

Friday, September 30, 2011

The Career Lexicon's Two Missing Words

This current contracting job market has forced two words to be removed from our career lexicon: security and stability.

These phrases sound ideal: 


From an employer: "Your job is secure, no worries!"


From self-talk:  "Thank goodness my job is stable." 

Technology has ended the world of work we once knew. 


Long term security and stability are nonexistent. A global economy has formed new rules as technology shifts business processes.  A successful company today erases inefficient and outdated systems of yesterday while developing  quick, easy and inexpensive products or services tomorrow.


These processes have required workforce reduction. This shift will likely not change in the future.  As the industrial age fades and the information age matures, today's worker must embrace the very reason they became obsolete: technology.


WHAT TO DO


First, add two new words to your career lexicon: adaptable and teachable.


The information age connects you to unparalleled access to resources.  In essence you must become a data miner extracting opportunities and knowledge you would otherwise never see.  To successfully accomplish this you can:


  • Learn the basics of Internet navigation by using Google
  • Develop a professional identity through Linkedin and Twitter
  • Consider how you can work from home as the Internet has made this viable
  • Study the influence of social media and how it impacts business and career opportunities
  • Take computer classes to learn new applications or software at your local library


HOW TO DO IT


 The most crucial task is to be open and adaptable to new information. Consider these important strategies:
  • View any learning opportunity as professional development
  • Attend online webinars available in your industry or profession
  • Join organizations that promote innovative ideas and approaches
  • Connect to professional colleagues through web portals,  blogs and sites such as You Tube and Live Stream
  • If you have an iTunes app on your phone, delve into the endless podcasts available in your professional field.
Embracing technology and using it as a tool for success certainly adds two words never erased from your lexicon:  


CAREER SAVVY






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