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2 Posts tagged with the career tag Productivity tips from the Priority Pro

A report released this week based on a survey of 5,000 US households conducted for The Conference Board by TNS reported that only 45 percent of those surveyed say that are satisfied with their job. This number is down from 61.1 percent in 1987, the first year the survey was conducted. Unfortunately, there has been a consistent downward trend for a couple of decades now.

 

Similarly, the recession and its accompanying reorganizations, layoffs and corporate turns to outsourcing have been caustic to IT employee job satisfaction, as reported in a mid-2009 job satisfaction survey by the Corporate Executive Board, a Washington-based advisory firm. The firm surveys 150,000 workers each quarter, asking a battery of behavioral questions about their jobs. About 10,000 of those surveyed work in IT jobs, according to board officials. Job satisfaction has plummeted to its lowest levels in the ten years since this survey began.

 

In the past, prior to the Great Depression, people generally worked because they had to. Happiness was rarely considered or even necessary.  However, since the 90's, when the economy was good and people had more choices about their work, job satisfaction was important and even measured, sometimes annually, using tools such as employee satisfaction surveys administered by employers and independent outside firms.

 

Today, with unemployment at its highest, more hard-earning wages going toward health insurance and other benefits, minimal pay raises (if any), and a lean workforce people are making many concessions to stay employed. The bottom-line is ruling rather than the growth or satisfaction of employees. So, no wonder people reported feeling more dissatisfied with their work!

 

These figures are frightening! Employee dissatisfaction is costly to American companies because it results in multiple workplace ills, including declines in employee engagement, productivity and retention. As the economy starts heading in a more positive direction, many valuable employees will leave.

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Market Brand YOU!

Posted by Natalie Gahrmann Oct 2, 2009

I have had the distinct pleasure of helping several unemployed groups of professionals by delivering one of my sought after workshops.  Although it's important to distinguish yourself when you're employed, it's even more important in this time of high unemployment rates to be sure you stand out from the crowd.

One of my clients was an IT Director suddenly laid off and afraid he wouldn't find another comparable position.  However, within 3 weeks he was gainfully employed in a similar position!  Not having much experience as a job seeker he wanted to get this off of his plate very quickly.  He turned to me, as his career coach and asked for my help and support.  We did all of the 'normal' things....updated his resume, talked to headhunters, had his resume reviewed and critiqued, networked with former colleagues and clients, practiced job interviewing, and researched potential employers and the job market. In the end, what really made him stand out in the pool of potential employees was the fact that he is a strong technical leader with the up-to-date skills to diagnose and fix problems.  Not only could he provide the leadership needed but he could do much of the work himself without hiring consultants and contractors or expanding the technical team.  He had an excellent track record and positioned himself based on what he knew the potential employer needed.  He marketed his personal brand!

brand you.jpgPersonal branding is about fully understanding your unique combination of qualities—your strengths, values and passions—and using these qualities to differentiate yourself and guide your career decisions. When you're well branded, packaged and positioned you attract people and opportunities that are exciting, fun and a great fit for your gifts and abilities!

Some of the benefits of creating your own brand include:

  • understanding yourself better
  • increasing your self-confidence
  • building your visibility and presence
  • differentiating yourself from the competition
  • expanding your opportunities
  • out-performing 'non-brands'

 

 

 

Your career success lies in producing the clarity and authentic presentation

that is the essence of a brand.

 

 

For expert help managing everything on your plate or distinguishing yourself in the marketplace, contact natalie@theprioritypro.com.

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