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We found this cool graphic recently, and had to share with our blog readers. You can see that a large chunk of job growth is happening in the technology industry – with software development, information technology, etc. Want to have a secure career? That’s definitely a place to look. It’s also known to be high-stress however, so make sure you find the right balance of what you want.
Were you surprised by anything in this graphic? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!
“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” -Socrates
The words of Socrates couldn’t be more relevant in our world. We are constantly looking to new leaders and new books and new ideas to provide us with the experience and guidance to move forward. There is something to be said, though, of listening to the leaders of the past as as much as, if not more so, than the leaders of the present. It may be cliche, but history does repeat itself. Skills and technologies may change, but human behavior remains a near constant. Here are three reasons why you should still pay attention to Socrates:
1. He taught us to question everything. “The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others.” That is one lesson that constantly drives innovation and improvement in individuals, society and industry.
2. He taught us that life is worthless without happiness. This is a lesson many people still need to learn today. Life is too short to not enjoy what we do!
3. He taught us to stand up for what we believe in. Socrates lived and breathed his philosophies – however much they were scorned, ridiculed, laughed at, or feared. Many of the leaders who inspire us had to stand firm on their beliefs before the world realized they were right.
When doing your career searching, keep these thoughts in mind. Will you settle for something you’re not passionate about? If you need the pay the bills, that’s not the worst thing in the world for something temporary. All we ask is that you think about it!
Who are your favorite leaders from the past? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter!
The new year is almost here. Before you really get rolling into the thick of things, take some time to think about the coming year. Set some goals. Think of the best job-searching strategies you can. Also use it to do the reading, dreaming and refreshing that your tired mind needs. Amazon recently released its “Best of 2011″ lists, and we thought we’d share with you the best from the business section.
A great strategy would be to order all 10 right now and read them at roughly one a month next year until the “Best of 2012″ list comes out. Just an idea! You can click any of the books and go right to the Amazon page to order. Happy shopping and more importantly, happy reading!
Tell us your favorite business books of the year, or all time, over on Facebook and Twitter!
When I first saw this statistic, I was truly surprised. 56% of college students and recent graduates WILL NOT accept a job is social media is blocked, or they will ignore the policy. Isn’t that incredible? We can gripe and complain about that stat as much as we want, but the reality is that this is the new reality. We, as hirers and business people have to adapt to the changing attitudes of these up and coming digital age workers. Check out the graphic below and take some time to learn about what the digital generation wants from a career/workplace. Fascinating stuff!
What surprised you the most from this graphic? Tell us on Twitter and Facebook!
Jim Collins is one of those authors that every business person should read at least once. Good to Great was an international bestseller. How the Mighty Fall was a good look at some of the characteristics of our economic downfall. He also has a new book out called Great By Choice that would make some great winter reading material!
You can see him in person with this great interview sharing some of his wisdom. Everyone can learn something here!
Share your favorite Jim Collins wisdom on Facebook and Twitter pages!
One of the most important parts in a job interview is knowing the company you are interviewing with. You want to know their strengths, weaknesses, products, history, etc. The more you know, the better you’ll look to your interviewer and the more interest you will show in working their. And there are certainly times when you’ll need to do some quick research or review before going in to “wow” them. Necessary tools: Internet access. Here are some tips for knowing everything you need to know about a company in 10 minutes:
A recent article in the Business Record highlighted the fact that more and more unemployed executives are willing to relocate to find work. Nearly 10% of managers/execs who took new jobs so far in 2011 have relocated to do so, which is a jump of around 2.5% from previous years.
The article notes that this number is still a little lower than historical averages…but is showing that 1) as the housing market rebounds, people are a little more willing to try something new 2) with high unemployment, people may be a little more desperate to find work that suits them and their skill set.
For a comparison, the average relocation percentage before the recession was nearly 16%. That number dropped off significantly, however, when the housing market crashed. The recession also cut down on employers repaying costs for relocation.
So what do you think? If the perfect opportunity came along but you had to move, would you do it? Or would you rather take something outside your preferred industry in order to stay close to home?
We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Large businesses (and small ones, too) are well known for being a bit hierarchical. This often gets a bad rap, but when you dig in a little, you can see some of the reasoning behind this. You see, there are varying levels of business knowledge. Going through four years of schooling can only get you so much. The first year that you are actually on the job will gain you more knowledge about business and its industry as a whole than those four years combined.
A recent article over on bnet.com highlights the fact that there are (at least) four levels of business knowledge that can truly only be acquired through time and experience. Where are you? What do you need? What experience must you have to move up a level?
1) Inquiry (or data)
This is basically an acquisition phase. The equivalent of a “Google” search. There are no independent decisions made here, and it is truly all about learning. The process is specific, and there is no wandering outside the lines.
2) Information
This is just a hair beyond data. You are now processing what you have found. You are putting it into context and perhaps brainstorming connections, solutions and big ideas. The story is beginning to form and the wheels of the business world are starting to turn for you.
3) Insight
Here is where creativity starts to play a key role. Your human brain starts to function as it was made to, and you are moving beyond rote processes and statistical spreadsheets. Decision solutions are coming to mind, and your confidence in their execution is ever-expanding. This is the stage in which the information has true meaning, and prioritization comes naturally.
4) Innovation (or wisdom)
This is high level thinking and strategy. Data plays little role here, and a combination of creativity and intuition start to take center stage. This phase comes with experience and a nice stroll through the previous stages. You can set goals, and determine what is necessary to accomplish those goals.
As with anything, greater experience gains you better traction in whatever your goals and aspirations may be. Are there any stages missing? Any you would take out? Chime in! Feel free to comment here on the blog, or over on Facebook and Twitter.
