Finding the Right/Any Job In A Tough Economy

Well after being in a job search for more than half this year putting a number of my previous advise and suggestions to practice has assured me of one thing it hard work trying to find work. After doing my own thing since 2005 it has been an awakening to re-visit the possibility of re-entering the regular workforce. The level of flexibility you have being self-employed seems to be more than a typical 9-5 but it really depends on what you are doing. I believe there are many that would say doing your own thing is like working 7-24 because when you are not working it, it is working you. So as I have mentioned before don't be too quick to believe the grass is greener doing your own thing but at the same time it may be the best answer for you. I left the regular workforce for a number of reasons over and above another lay-off. It was also a realization that if you could combine a job or career with something you loved, than doing it wouldn't seem like work at all. I opened not one but two discount dollar stores between 2005-2009 and while I enjoyed every minute of the operations of the business making enough to stay in business was a whole other subject. Timing is everything they say and that was no exception in this case. The economy was taking a serious downturn and while on the surface a discount store would sound like the place to be at the right time. However in reality the competition increases in hard times with everyone getting into the game because every customer counts and discount areas started to appear in every store in the community. Yes not just Wal-Mart but every store like Target, TJMaxx, Michael's, Party City and the list goes on. This is not to mention true dollars stores that have a corporate source buying in volume from the same suppliers as an independent discount store owner like myself at 20-30% of the cost. Then to make matters worst is the age old small business start-up adage of location, location, location coming into play big time. We were able to acquire a space at about 1/3 of the cost per square foot our neighbors were playing but lesson learned, start small and grow big versus the other way around. It all seems so obvious after the fact but my belief it is only a mistake if you don't learn something from it. So considered a store like Dollar Tree that is practically the only true dollar store left because they can purchase out a volume that most other stores cannot compete. It is my observation that Dollar Tree has actually expanded the size of their stores, product lines and advertising a right move given they will be seeing a whole new customer base that at one point had no idea what they carried and could really care less. Amazing how times change and in so many cases remain the same, there are probably quite a few people who still remember the old discount store of the past Five and Dime, long before Kmart, Wal-Mart and the like.

Tony May

Energy

Illinois, United States

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Market and Industry Trends for 2011

So what are the job market and industry trends for 2011? It clearly depends on your source of information since the analytical assumptions may vary somewhat regarding what are the strongest indicators. However, if you do the research several areas of assumptions seem to surface as the primary indicators of growth, sustainable increase and expanding opportunities. There is a great deal of focus on this area by the information super highways since this information is essential to high school seniors, first year college students, career minded professionals and job seekers across the country. The information is readily available via most of the media outlets of television, worldwide web, newspapers, billboards, magazines, radio and networking and recruiting organizations to mention just a few of the available channels. The challenge then becomes once I have that information how do I use it to determine if I’m on the right track, to get on the right track or to get off the wrong one? Many times it comes down to are you looking for a job viewed as just a way to pay the bills or a career that provides true job satisfaction in the opportunity for competitive salaries, promotion/career advancement, work-life balance and a benefit package that brings it all together. Almost any job can become a career but most jobs that are not viewed and treated as a career are highly unlikely to be one. Going back to the earlier questions with the before mentioned things in mind what are the career and industries trends for 2011. Here is a list developed from varies sources to at least help you navigate in the right direction as you confirm and make decisions about your education, job or career?

Industry Trends for 2011:
Healthcare
Education
Elder Care and Services
Digital Media
Federal Jobs
Human Resource Professionals
Software Engineering
Data Administration
Financial Planning
Investment Banking
Energy (Green) Environmental Jobs

Career Trends for 2011
Network System and Data Base Communication Analyst
Physical & Medical Assistant
Software Engineers
Physical Therapist
Pharmacist
Human Resource Managers
Financial Planners
Register Nurse
Dental hygienists
Management Consultants
EDP & Internet Hosting
Computer system design
Environmental Consulting

The above list is not intended to be all inclusive, the intent is to stir the pot as to encouraging those that are researching the career and job market to do the research and take control of your destiny. It is back to the old adage of those who fail to plan, plan to fail. So as we kick-off a new year approach it with a spirit of change and new opportunities because as history confirms there will always be change and with it new opportunities.