10 Job Sectors in Decline

by Margaret Steen

People in almost every profession may feel like jobs are scarce right now. For many industries, this is a temporary situation. But jobs in some fields are expected to continue disappearing even after the economy picks up.

Is your industry on the decline? The federal government projects that a number of industries will lose jobs from 2008 to 2018.

"You can't sit around and wait for news to come out about what's going to happen to your industry," said Alexandra Levit, author of "New Job, New You." "You have to be proactive about this."

Disappearing Jobs

Here's a list of the top 10 industries expected to lose the most jobs by 2018 -- and what to do if you're working in one of them:

1. Department stores: Projected to lose 10.2 percent of the 1.56 million jobs they had in 2008.

2. Semiconductor manufacturing: Projected to lose 33.7 percent of the 432,000 jobs it had in 2008.

3. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing: Projected to lose 18.6 percent of its 544,000 jobs.

4. Postal service: Projected to lose 13 percent of the 748,000 jobs it had in 2008.

5. Printing and related jobs: Projected to lose 16 percent of its 594,000 jobs.

6. Cut-and-sew apparel manufacturing: Projected to lose 57 percent of its 155,000 jobs.

7. Newspaper publishers: Projected to lose 24.8 percent of its 326,000 jobs.

8. Mining support jobs: Projected to lose 23.2 percent of its 328,000 jobs.

9. Gas stations: Projected to lose 8.9 percent of its 843,000 jobs.

10. Wired telecom: Projected to lose 11 percent of its 666,000 jobs.

Semiconductors are one of several manufacturing industries on the declining list. Because so many different types of manufacturing jobs are disappearing, it will not be easy to simply get another manufacturing job. You may need to develop some completely new skills.

Levit suggests beefing up your resume with volunteer work so you can show skills that will be applicable in other industries. For example, helping a volunteer organization deal with its members can show that you have client-service skills.

She also recommends being innovative to keep your job. "You need to be front and center with management, giving them suggestions for how they can remain competitive."

Are You Affected?

What should you do if your industry is on this list? First, don't panic. The job declines in these industries are projected to take place over a decade. And many jobs -- a majority in most of these industries -- will remain even after 10 years.

Still, it's good to start thinking about Plan B. Build your savings and start researching what other industries might be able to use your skills.

If you're nearing retirement and had been planning to move into a different field, you might want to make the move earlier. And if you have many years of work ahead of you, you should consider seriously whether it's feasible for you to stay in your industry for the long term.

"Start sharpening your transferrable skills," Levit said. These include project management, budgeting, and customer service. "You want to be developing a resume that showcases the skills you have in all those areas."

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Want Your Old Job?

By Dennis nishi

If you've been laid off and your former employer is hiring again, you might see the news as a chance to get back to work at your old firm. But first it's important to consider whether it's a good idea—and whether the skills you bring are what the company needs now.

The odds of getting an old job back are good if you were let go simply for budgetary reasons and the company outlook has been improving.

But before you get too excited about trying to return, do a self-assessment—and be honest. "Sometimes there is some selectivity in who is laid off," says Jerald Jellison, a professor of social psychology at the University of Southern California who specializes in the workplace. He recommends asking yourself whether you created any bad feelings when you left or while you were working at the company. Was your work up to par? Was your role valued in better economic times?

You also should consider whether or not you feel a renewed commitment to the work you'd be doing, says Mr. Jellison. "I liken it to returning to an old flame. Is it really a good idea? Do you really want to be there?"

What the Company Needs

Next, consider what the company will need as conditions improve. If you were a marketing manager, figure out how you could return with a new angle of attack that could help make the company more competitive. If you've enrolled in any courses or have time to sign up for a webinar that will bump up your skills, highlight these efforts in a cover letter.

Keep in mind that even if your old firm is starting to rebuild and your position—something like it—is resurrected, you might not get the job. Approach the application process and interview as if you were a new candidate. Fine-tune your résumé, do research that shows you haven't fallen behind on what the company has been doing, prepare for the interview and be ready to answer tough questions.

And before you apply, contact former co-workers who have kept their jobs to assess how things are now relative to when you were there. Get up to speed on any other news that can help you understand key personnel changes or staffing needs, says Ruth K. Liebermann, managing director of HR Insourcing in Boston. "Contact your former boss and let him [or her] know that you're interested," says Ms. Liebermann. "Tell your boss what new initiatives you plan to bring, with the benefit of hindsight, and what new energy you have coming back."

No Grudges

When you contact your former boss or human-resources department, assure them that you harbor no bad feelings about being laid off and are eager to return to work. If you're trying to persuade a new boss to bring you back, focus on your accomplishments and get references to back up your claims.

If there are no full-time positions available, consider asking to work on a contract basis. The pay is often higher and, though there are no benefits, the job may eventually transition into a full-time position.

Don't be discouraged if you get through the interview process and find out the job now pays less than you earned before. "You have to consider the market conditions," says Paul Glen, a management consultant in Los Angeles. "Everybody is taking pay cuts and losing benefits. That will change as the economy improves."

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C'mon, Get Happy: Tips for Staying Positive at Work

by Caroline M.L. Potter

It's a lot easier to put on a happy face at the office when things are going well. But in lean times amid hiring freezes and an unpredictable future, it can be difficult to remain optimistic when you're on the job, especially when bad news about the economy is prevalent.

Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of "The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want," has pinpointed several strategies to help anyone become happy. She claims, "Everything I say is based on science. The strategies I've chosen are supported by studies that have tested them."

To start seeing your morning cup of coffee as half full, Lyubomirsky recommends that workers:

1. Embrace Gratitude. "Focus on really appreciating what you have at work. Maybe it's a valued colleague or your boss. Or maybe it's merely the fact that you don't have to drive very far to get there," she says, adding, "You can also express gratitude directly to people in the workplace, which can really strengthen your connections with your coworkers."

2. Commit Random Acts of Kindness. Lyubomirsky recommends doing things to help your coworkers without being prompted. "Give a colleague a ride to the airport. Or offer up one of your own sick days to someone who doesn't have any left." She points out that the benefits of committing these acts are good for both parties. "It's a good thing to do -- and it also makes you happier in the process."

3. Be Optimistic. Instead of getting bogged down in the challenges of today, she urges, "Think about the future. Think about your goals. Imagine your dreams coming true." If you don't think about things in an optimistic way, you could fall prey to a self-fulfilling prophecy, in which you've set yourself up for failure.

4. Reach out to Others. Don't isolate yourself from your office mates. Instead, reach out and engage people. Lyubomirsky, who is a professor of psychology at University of California, Riverside, says, "Social support is very important. Being around other people boosts positive emotions. It's almost like a miracle!"

5. Refuse to Ruminate. When engaging with others around the workplace, focus on problem solving -- not stewing. Says the researcher and writer, "Rumination is just going over and over the same thing and dwelling on it. It doesn't go anywhere, and it just makes you feel worse. You think you're going to get insight, but you're really just going from A to B to A to B. Avoid going in a circle and try to problem-solve together to move forward.

There are also other practical and simple shortcuts to happiness, as discovered by a group of researchers in the U.K. and discussed in the BBC documentary "Making Slough Happy," which aired in 2005. They recommend any of these office-friendly tactics to help buoy your spirits:

* "Plant something and nurture it." There are plants that will thrive in even the lowest light, and caring for one can add a bright touch to a dreary workplace.

* "Give yourself a treat every day and take the time to really enjoy it." Whether it's a chocolate after lunch or a cup of your favorite tea, a rewarding ritual can help you feel positive.

* "Have a good laugh at least once a day." Find your funniest coworker -- or head over to Sling.com or YouTube.com -- for a chuckle on your lunch break.

* "Smile at and/or say hello to a stranger at least once each day." Perhaps it's during your commute or in the company cafeteria, but take time to spread some goodwill to someone you don't know.

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10 Ways To Develop Confidence In New Situations

by Maria Marsala

Summary: Very few people are at ease striking up a conversation in a room full of strangers. Here are some simple ways to make network meetings more productive and more fun.

Do you enjoy one-on-one networking, however, the thought of walking into room full of people you don't know horrifies you?



You're not alone. Yes, even a social butterfly, President of the Social Committee in High School and avid networker knows how you feel. Here are some of my tricks. And they have all worked!

* A great way to network at a conference is to volunteer at the registration desk. Why? You get to say hello to everyone who registers in your line and everyone who registers gets to see you behind the registration table. At the event, you'll feel more comfortable talking with people because you've "met" them already. And if those aren't enough benefits, people will "recognize you" from the registration desk, and be more likely to come talk with you.

* Once you join a new group, ask the Chairperson what volunteer opportunities are available. Take on a small or large task, based on what you like to do and/or do something that may quietly help you market your business.

* If you teach a class or speak, go into the room early. Get a feel for it, change it around if need be, and greet everyone who walks in with a big "hello my name is ...". Bring name tags or recycle the tops of old manila folders, have each person put their name on it, and put it on the table in front of them.

* When you are planning to attend a meeting for the first time, call up whomever you can from the organization. Ask them if you can meet them at the meeting. Then you'll "know" someone that you can look for when you arrive.

* Carry a nametag in your glove compartment. Make one for personal use, another for business use. Then people will feel more comfortable walking up to you in meetings.

* Put your notes on the back of duplicates of pictures (photography) you've taken. Then they won't stick out so much from the podium (like white paper or index cards do.)
*

Practice some opening lines and your handshake before you attend the event. Practice using a mirror and ask your family to let you practice on them, too.

* Develop two a 30-second commercials (also called elevator speeches, USP - unique selling propositions). One is for personal use, and the other would be for business use. On a recent telelclass I attended, provided by Jay Levinson of Guerrilla Marketing fame, suggested creating a 7 word commercial, too.

* Remember that everyone in that room is a human being, too. Everyone has their own fears to deal with... and they might even be the same as yours.

* Find other ways to build your confidence, too. Email me the ones that work for you.

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Have Confidence on the Job

Confidence, high self-esteem, and ambition are qualities that will help you in your career path.

Some qualities of a person cannot be learned, but rather are nurtured and grown. Ambition and confidence are two of these qualities. One of the main pillars of ambition is high self esteem. According to career publisher CareerJournal.com, self-acceptance and faith-in-oneself allows confidence and ambition to grow. Lacking this personal characteristic can put a serious damper on your career goals. Here is how to let your personality shine and make way for your professional life.

High self-esteem

Low self-esteem is one of the major stumbling blocks to achieving your goals. CareerJournal.com says no personal characteristic is more important to workplace success than self-esteem. Self-esteem is the foundation for all the other characteristics you want to build. Ways to increase your self-esteem include:

• Stomp negative thoughts - Recognize when you are thinking negative and change attitude. Power of mind over body.
• Deal with disappointment - Instead of crushing yourself over something that went afoul, focus on what you learned and how to do it better next time.
• Goal Focused - A good example is overweight people trying to slim down. Instead of focusing on what is not being accomplished, think about your goal, in this case: what will life be like as a healthy person?

Be realistic about yourself. Don't set outlandish goals that are impossible. Shoot for the moon, but set a realistic path to get there so you will limit disappointment.

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Preparing for the future of work

Abridged: Guardian Careers

NEW YORK, NY -- Over the past 20 years the shape of the workforce has changed beyond recognition. It's obvious that technology is moving as fast as ever -- and the workplace must keep up. A recently produced list of future professions suggests that by 2030 workers might be training for careers as diverse as space pilots, tour guides and educational avatar moderators. Another recent survey suggests that, by 2017, there will also be an 883% rise in employment for other business services -- for instance accountancy, law, consultancy, advertising and public relations.

An example of a thriving, emergent sector is the digital economy, with many more people expected to work in areas such as IT and broadcasting in the coming years. For those already classed as digital workers, changing technology and expectations will mean an increased demand for people to work across a number of platforms.

We're entering a new age of sustainability, meaning we will need to change our entire system of production and consumption, get more efficient with our use of resources and recognize that new sectors are going to emerge as a result. Finally, as the population ages, the number of people employed as care workers will increase. In turn, there will be a rise in informal care, with more employees caring for children or elderly relatives themselves, meaning employers offering flexible working will have the edge over competitors.

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How to Be Effective at Work

The season right-sizing is just starting to cool off, but the stress at work to deliver results is not seeing any signs of abating. A recent study cited in CNN’s “How to Leave Work at the Office” claimed that more than 30% of workers take work home just to cope with the work load.

Indeed, there is a better way to achieve career success while “finding the right balance in life”, but you will need to decide to not succumb to the pressures of your work and take steps to rise above the situation.

To achieve this, you must first put an end to time-wasting activities. One of the best ways to do this is to hold more effective meetings. Both Seth Godin and Entrepreneur.com give solid advice for making meetings work: Get people to do their homework ahead of time, ban laptops and distracting devices, and remove all chairs in the conference rooms.

Another idea is to end the “busyness” mindset, characterised by plenty of motion without any clear results. Contrary to the intention of busyness, most people caught up in it usually end up with low energy levels and procrastinate at work.

An important thing to watch for, as Stepcase LifeHack warns, is physical and mental burnout. Prevent it early by learning new ways of doing old work and by remembering to give yourself a break.

After you eliminate these self-sabotaging behaviours, it is time to get better at what you do. Lifehacker shows us how to handle the information overload by batching tasks and using software to filter off non-important items from your attention.

Never forget your values and principles and always remember to pay attention to detail, says Stepcase Lifehack, while reviewing the ideas from a book based on Bear Bryant, famous coach and leader figure.

CNN tells us that work-life balance can be achieved by setting clear boundaries for work and home, and by organising and prioritising how your time is spent. The article – angled at parents but clearly applicable to all workers – also suggests forming a support group of people from similar backgrounds to help when challenges become insurmountable.

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