I need a better job. How do I get one?
There’s only one way to get a better job: Create more value.
That might mean learning new skills your current employer – or your current industry – finds attractive. In many industries, even as companies are cutting back in one area, they’re adding people in another.
If you have industry experience, and add new skills that are emerging in your industry, you’ll be attractive to either your current employer or a new one.
How do you figure out what’s emerging or attractive? Well, if you’re already playing in an industry, it’s important to pay attention to its trends.
But here’s a rule of thumb: If people are scared of it, it’s probably an emerging trend.
Among trends people are worried about right now:
Mobilization – everything’s going mobile
Automation – more and more processes can be handled by machines
Virtualization – extending the enterprise out in to new physical and digital configurations
Data and Analytics – more and more decisions are being driven by hard data
If you look carefully, every one of those trends involves software. Either creting it or operating it. So if your industry is concerned about any of those issues, learn which software dominates your industry on that topic, and get started learning it.
For example:
Mobile – right now the big push is on creating “enterprise apps,” mobile apps that integrate enterprise data.
If your industry is moving toward mobile – especially if people are getting concerned about an updraft in mobile activity – learn how to make apps. It’s not that hard.
Automation – the push to automation is incredible. It’s literally changing the face of entire industries, from manufacturing to transportation and even IT.
If you work in any of the “old line” industries (factory, transport, even construction), look for areas where automation is starting to take over.
Once you find those areas, figure out which software is running the automation processes, and get started learning that software.
Virtualization – we are living in a time when “boundaries” are being swept away in favor of “borderless” communication, commerce and connection. The world is very quickly becoming that fabled “global village.”
If you see your company either physically or digitally moving to virtualize, take it as a signal to upgrade your skills.
Learn CRM (customer relationship management) techniques and software. Figure out how to tap into the new, distributed work flow and work teams. Make yourself valuable by focusing on a valuable skill.
Data and Analytics – one of the most important and far-reaching movements in business and organizational life today is the push to get a grip on the torrent of data flooding through our lives.
If you start looking into “business intelligence” or analytics, you can quickly get the impression it’s an area off limits to mere mortals.
It can seem very esoteric and mysterious, characterized by weird statistical phenomenon and impenetrable graphics.
In fact, analytics is all about logic and critical thinking. If you have decent skills or traits in these areas, the software can handle the heavy lifting on the stats and graphics end.
In fact, the real opportunity in analytics is still coming: The process of integrating all the new knowledge into good business decision making.
More and more software providers are figuring this out, and crafting solutions to match. Keep an eye on them. Learn their programs and new opportunities will emerge.
I need a job, period. How do I get one?
Well, if you’ve read this far down, you know we’re all about learning new skills.
So apply everything from above, just take out “your industry” and insert an area you find interesting.
For folks just trying to get a first job, one of the things we do around here is to provide “test drive” profiles of high demand jobs or career fields.
Our point of reference is the US Department of Labor’s ONET Online service, which reports stats on job growth, as well as requirements, salaries, etc.
We pick and choose from the ONET list, with a focus on jobs that look interesting, appear to be growing in demand, and require moderate preparation.
Then we try to figure out how you can prepare for that career quickly and at minimal cost (we also do some work with college degrees, if that’s your bag).
So check out some of our categories, watch the videos or follow the reviews. See if you can identify some area that matches your interest, or your “talent” as we refer to it.
Once you find that area, it’s just a matter of learning a unique set of skills.
We like to think in terms of “side door skills.” Imagine you’re at a popular restaurant or club. The line extends down an entire block. But suddenly, a bouncer walks up to you, taps you on the shoulder and says, “Follow me.” You’re escorted through a side door, into the heart of the club and seated at a premium table.
Why? Well, in this example we don’t know for sure, but somehow you stood out from the crowd and got an invitation to skip ahead of the rest.
Likewise, imagine a job posting or advertisement. It’s legendary these days that hiring managers are getting hundreds of applicants for single jobs.
So how can you stand out?
Develop side door skills. That is, learn a highly valuable skill that sets you apart and gets you invited into the “side door,” even if you don’t otherwise stand out from the crowd.
Here’s an example: Mandarin.
People who know how to speak Mandarin Chinese are in high demand today. Same is true, of course, for Spanish, Arabic and other languages. Certainly Hindi.
But Mandarin stands out because of the huge current growth in China.
If you spoke Mandarin, your chances to slip into a pretty nice job through a “side door” would increase greatly.
Now, we’re not suggesting everybody should go learn Mandarin. Just that we should all think in terms of skills that might get us invited in a “side door” with the organization or job of our dreams.
I need to finish a degree, quickly. How do I get one?
It’s not easy, but it can be done. Check out our section on acceleration.
I already have a degree, but can’t find a job. What can I do?
See all the advice above and add this: If you haven’t already done so, put aside the idea that you’re done learning.
You’ve only just started.
Sadly, we currently have a legion of unemployed recent college graduates. Part of that problem is the job market, granted.
But the other part is related to the crumbling “social contract” between college students and employers.
You might have heard all your life – from parents, teachers, commentators, and who knows who else – that a college degree is the “ticket” to a life of prosperity and progress.
That was probably true at one time. You’re living proof that the bargain has long since begun to crumble.
So your options are simple: You can be mad about it. You can be sad about it. Or you can do something about it.
Please do that last one.
We live in a world of unprecedented opportunity. We’re going through tough times right now, in certain ways, but we’re also living in times of incredible breakthroughs in technology, science and life processes.
Join in. If you have a degree, you’ve proven that you know how to learn. Put that skill to work and brush up your specific skills.
The sciences, energy, technology and automation are going to radically disrupt much of what we know about jobs and work.
Get busy learning new skills now. It’s something you’ll need to do for the rest of your life.