Take Advantage of the Summer

The days are longer -- the weather is warmer (hopefully it's not raining where you are). How will you take advantage of the summer to further your career objectives?

Is there one NEW activity you can try that might help you achieve a short-term goal? How about finding a NEW ...

• Volunteer opportunity that enables you to enhance a key skill -- maybe there's even an outdoor component! OR ...
• Magazine or journal that will update you on latest trends in your industry -- handy for those long bus/train rides to the beach!

Switch it up a bit -- check out the local cafes in your neighborhood as you walk home. Maybe one of them has a special evening for networking activities (book club, meet-'n-greet, etc.) -- great ways to take advantage of the air conditioning AND meet new people!

What do you think? Post your suggestions for fun ways to take advantage of the summer!

Competent Advantage Session June 13 at 6:30 PM

For those of you in the New York area, please join me tomorrow evening for a Competent AdvantageTM networking event hosted by the Black Ivy Alumni League.

The event is Tuesday, June 13 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM in midtown Manhattan. As usual, it will be an interactive workshop in which you'll have the opportunity to analyze your personal competencies for personal growth and career advancement.

RSVP NOW! Save $3.00 if you pre-pay in advance via PayPal.

The Black Ivy Alumni League is committed to cultivating the community of over 50,000 alumni of African descent by serving as a professional development resource and promoting civic engagement. I am honored to be part of their activities. I hope to see you tomorrow!

Is Your Job on the Endangered Careers List?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for some jobs is expected to decline rapidly between now and 2014. Due to technology advances and factory automation, some of these declining job functions are “Operators,” including:

• Computer Operators (believe it or not!)
• Mail-Machine Operators
• Telephone Operators

Also mentioned were Stock Clerks, Telemarketers and Secretaries (EXCEPT Legal, Medical and Executive Secretaries). Even if your current job function isn’t on the BLS Endangered Careers list, you should be proactive and figure out your Career Portability™ Factor.

What do I mean? Well, Merriam-Webster Online defines portable as: “capable of being moved especially with ease.” From a career management perspective, it means determining what things you can easily take with you from one job to the next. No, I’m not referring to your stapler or mouse pad! I’m talking about your skills and work-related qualities that will help you succeed in your next opportunity.

The first step in figuring out your Career Portability Factor™ is a self-assessment. You might start by answering the following question:

If you had to pack up and leave your job tomorrow, what skills would you put in your briefcase?

Your answers will come from reviewing your assignments, accomplishments and responsibilities in your current role. What have you done? How have you added value to your organization? Under what conditions have you achieved your success? For each of the accomplishments and responsibilities, make a list of the associated skills and qualities. This is the first component of your Career Portability Factor™.

Later, we’ll talk about how to position your Career Portability Factor™ when you're seeking new opportunities.