Job Action Day 2010

My friends Randall and Katharine Hansen at Quintessential Careers have put together the third annual Job Action Day, where they have invited career coaches and bloggers nationwide to participate in sharing hope, inspiration, tips, and both gentle and hard nudges to support job seekers in these interesting times. I was happy to participate once again.

Some of the statistics and facts put together to alert folks as to the new world of work are eye-opening to say the least. For example…

• Fifty percent of the workforce added in 2010 will be made up of one form or another of contingent workers, says the report The Emerging New Workforce by Littler Mendelson, P.C., which provides employment and labor-law solutions. “As a result,” the report states, “approximately 25 percent to as high as 35 percent of the workforce will be made up of temporary workers, contractors, or other project-based labor. The numbers of professionals working in temporary or alternative work arrangements will continue to rise. Flexible work schedules and telecommuting will increase as companies turn towards practical solutions to efficiently complete tasks while retaining talented individuals.” [Similar sources:Freelance Nation: Why Permanent Jobs May Not Come Back by Charles Hugh Smith, DailyFinance; Need a job? Contract work could be new normal by Eve Tahmincioglu, MSNBC; One-in-Five employers to hire full-time, permanent staff in Q4: survey by International Business Times]
• A looming skills mismatch is preventing some workers from obtaining jobs even as employers increase hiring. During the recession, employers had to make do with fewer workers, and those workers took on more functions. “Now, someone who hopes to get those jobs must meet the new requirements,” reports Christopher S. Rugaber in an Associated Press article. Technology has also added to the skills mismatch. [Similar source: The Stagnating Labor Market by Arjun Jayadev and Mike Konczal, The Roosevelt Institute]

I contributed an article to the effort as well, focusing on the absolute necessity for people to begin thinking entrepreneurially in terms of job search. Gone are the days when a call to a headhunter or a few resumes sent in to an online job board would net something. People must begin to realize ever more the importance of relationship-building so as to take advantage of the statistic that 80% of jobs are filled before they are even advertised. Read the article HERE.

This last point I demonstrate quite vividly in the free 16-page Special Excerpt Report,Front Door Folly, Backdoor Bonanza, available upon request from the top-right box on this page.

But then the question becomes “How do I do it differently then? How does one pierce this backdoor of opportunity?” So, in honor of Job Action Day 2010, I am offering my brand new ebook, Backdoor Job Search: Never Apply for a Job Again! 10 Time-Tested Principles for Launching an Effective Backdoor Campaign, for 50% off.  This is a Limited Time Discount and I invite you to reap the benefits of Job Action Day and download your copy today. It even comes with a 1-year guarantee!

Lastly, spend some time today replenishing your job search mind and soul with the many articles and blogs from my colleages at Quintessential Careers (www.quintcareers.com) and the many career professionals taking part in this effort atwww.JobActionDay.com.