Top Exec Blog (Web Log)

There are those who see the cup half full and others who perceive it as half empty. In a recent meeting of networkers looking for career guidance, half the room seemed to be angry, moody and frustrated with their career search. Others exuded confidence and advocated using creativity to reinvent themselves, seeking ways to be of help, while getting ideas and input from others as well. When faced with a challenge (and I am not saying that unemployment or “free agency” is not a full-time challenge, given the economic issues), how do you respond?

Some take their transferable skills, for example in the sale of financial products (banking, mortgage, mutual funds or anything having to do with industries that are in “meltdown mode” or are being taken over in some fashion by government “injections”), and re-invent themselves to use those same skills in the “green” products and industries that are sprouting up everywhere (pun intended). Is this easy? Does it happen without thought, hard work and personal effort? Of course, not. It may even take a specialized seminar, convention, certification or other additional preparation to gain the knowledge or insight to be useful in selling these types of products, but it can be done.

Others are leaving different, troubled industries (commuter jets, high-tech start-ups that shut down, etc.) to apply their business moxie to new ventures. This includes consulting, writing business plans for others, creating start-ups of their own, taking on a franchise opportunity or using experience in other ways that play to their strengths (radio talk show host becomes voice actor, perhaps?). One person I know has found part-time work doing consulting that includes making presentations in Portuguese to audiences in Brazil (via the web), based not only on his language and speaking skills, but also on his knowledge of technical products and the development of channel partners in international markets. Some are even combining common products (footwear) with leading edge offerings (GPS services), and coming up with patentable ideas and products. Who knows where those kinds of shoes will take you?!

Now, unfortunately, there are also those who bemoan the lack of courtesy and responsiveness on the part of target employers. They seem to misread the manner in which HR departments do or do not respond to their job inquiries such that it’s a “personal” rejection, or “discourteous” manners that the prospective executive or career-searcher has to deal with. Well, my suggestion is to get over that feeling, fast, and find other ways to make the most of the process. For more on this particular situation, read this posting, from last year on this same blog: The Joys of Poise

So, what’s your mood? Is the tumbling, fumbling Dow Jones Average affecting you? Are endless employment entreaties via on-line web forms causing you consternation? Or are you reaching into your creative bag of tricks to see the glass half full, and the other half waiting to be filled by your skills, talents and capabilities for the right opportunity? It’s entirely up to you.

Thanks for reading, and remember, it’s always good to ride along with someone and share your experience, so drop me a line, forward this on to others, or post a comment. Make your day an optimistic one, and avoid the moodiness that comes from getting isolated and lonesome on the Career Path Expressway™.

© Daniel A. Cabrera, TopExec.org, 2008, All rights reserved.