IABC A Few Perspectives On Managing Your Career

1. IABCA Few Perspectives On Managing Your Career James B. Collins, Ph.D. LPC

2. Key Questions • How bad is it out there? • How do I ensure career stability and success?

3. How Bad Is It Out There? • As communicators, you know better than to pay attention to the press clippings • It’s not the 90’s, but it’s better than you think

4. Unemployment – (BLS) • U.S. - 8.3% • A steady, gradual decline from the peak of 10% in October of 2009 • Expected to “tick down” to 8% by year end • Metro DC – 5.4% • DC – 9.1% • NOVA Counties – 4.3% • MD Counties – 5.4%

5. Communicator Job Opportunities • Indeed.com over 60 ads within a 25 mile radius (all within last 30 days) • Entry-Level: 25+ postings (coordinator, assoc., asst., intern < $60K) • Mid-Level: 25+ postings (mgr., specialist, writer, asst. editor $60 - $100K) • Senior-Level: 10+ postings (editor, director, VP $100K+)

6. Communicator Job Opportunities • This is a crude analysis • Most of these jobs not appropriate for any given individual • However, this is 60+ communications job postings in a 1-month period • Extrapolated annually – 300 to 350 jobs? The opportunities are out there • The vast majority won’t be right for you, but a handful will be.

7. How Do I Ensure Career Stability & Success? • A tough question • Business & industry increasingly turbulent & job market reflects that. • Opportunities & needs are in constant flux • No control over their availability or the hiring decisions of others • Pathways are ambiguous at best

8. How Do I Ensure Career Stability & Success? • People have diverse professional priorities that shift throughout life • No matter who you are or what you’ve accomplished, people will find reasons to exclude you • There are no formulas or cookbooks • However, some strategies are better than others

9. Recognize That The Game Has Changed • The 25+ year trend continues to intensify (SHRM) • Increasing shift: • From Long-Term Job Security • To Long-Term Career Employment Security

10. Understand Nature of the Job Market Reactive Market Proactive Market • Ads – Print & Web • Agencies • Job Fairs • Recruiters • Unadvertised Jobs • Pending Jobs • Jobs That Don’t Exist – Created • Posted Ads Thru Networking

11. Steps In The SelectionProcess The One Proactive Approach May Enter At These Point Reference Check 1 Candidate 1 – 3 Candidates Final Rounds 3 – 6 Candidates Employment Interviews 6 – 12 Candidates Screening Interviews 25 - 50 Resumes HR Screening 50 to 500 Resumes Reactive Approach Enters Here Computer/Clerical Pre-screen

12. Know Thyself:Have A Cogent Professional Summary • A Clear Brand: • Defines your professional identity • Hard Skills • Specific functional competencies & expertise • Soft Skills • Key characteristics & attributes • Value Your Bring • The impact or results you deliver

13. Get Known Beyond Your Piece Of Paper • Myth - It’s not what you know but who you know • Reality – It’s: • Who you know (contacts) • Who knows what you need to know (strategic) • What you know (information) • Who knows you (visibility)

14. Continually Expand Your Tool Box • Being “Graduate Ready” is necessary but not sufficient • This shouldn’t be a mystery • “Life-Long Learning” is not a new concept • It’s simply gaining increased freight as the pace of change accelerates • Be strategic within your area of passion

15. Be A Good CitizenA Counter-Intuitive Thought • Focus not on building your career • Focus on building relationships & adding value • Get engaged & involved