'J.T. & Dale Talk Jobs is' the largest nationally syndicated career advice column in the U.S. and can be found at JTandDale.com.Dear J.T. & Dale: My husband and I both have worked in high tech for more than 20 years. With all the stress from outsourcing and reorgs and overly aggressive management, we feel like Lucy and Ethel in that famous "I Love Lucy" episode where the assembly line keeps gets cranked up faster and faster. We've been investigating alternative careers, but none of the resources we've used addresses how the work environment fits into the picture. We fear making a career change that ends up trapping us in a new toxic environment. — Kathy
J.T.: I have to be honest: I think all industries have ratcheted up the demands on employees — it's the reality of business in America.
Dale: Yes ... globalization means that your job is put out into the worldwide bidding war — you compete for your job with people whose monthly cost of living is less than your car payment. So one solution is to seek jobs that can't be outsourced; however, that then brings us bang-on against another reality: Intensified competition in every corner of the economy forces management to keep increasing productivity, which means we're right back to Lucy and Ethel working the assembly line.
J.T.: Rather than look for a different industry, your best hope is to find an organization whose culture is aligned with yours. The best way to do that is to interview an employer as much as he or she interviews you. See how he or she answers the tough questions, such as: "What are the biggest challenges the company faces, and how does a person in my role help overcome them?" "What are the three most important attributes an employee needs, and why?"
Dale: Having spent nearly two decades researching great bosses, I'm pleased to report that there still are a few true leaders working to create great workplaces. For instance, there's Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller in St. Louis, who goes so far as to keep asking his managers: "When employees get home, what do they say about their day at work? Do they go home happy?" The culture of an organization is more about the leadership than about the industry.
J.T.: As you search for an enlightened organization, you might consider creating your own. Some companies are still cutting overhead by encouraging telecommuting, which means that employees provide their own workspace by working at home. Others are outsourcing work to freelancers. You'll have to be self-managing, and that may give you sympathy for the job of being a manager in the new economy.
Jeanine "J.T." Tanner O'Donnell is a professional development specialist and founder of CAREEREALISM.com. Dale Dauten's latest book is "(Great) Employees Only: How Gifted Bosses Hire and De-Hire Their Way to Success" (John Wiley & Sons).
Please visit them at jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via e-mail, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019.
© 2009 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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Everyone has heard of New Year's resolutions. You know, those promises we make to ourselves about things we'll do better in the year ahead. Sometimes these resolutions work, while other times we end up with gym memberships we never use! But have you ever heard of a career resolution? It's actually the same thing as a New Year's resolution, only career-focused.
However, with something as important as a career, you don't want to break these resolutions. That's why it's important to keep these goals manageable.
Here are four simple career resolutions that are easy to stick to and achieve.
Be Self-Aware Of Where You Stand In Your Career
BigstockBeing honest and self-aware of where you are in your career is the most important step in making strong career resolutions. If your career is going nowhere and you're unhappy, then it may be time to consider a career change, which will take you down a different path entirely.
But if you're happy and in good standing with your career, it's a lot easier to set goals for the year and build out a long-term career plan.
Find A Way To Grow Your Career
BigstockCareer growth is a very broad spectrum that means something different to everyone. It could be something as simple as improving on a weakness or building on a strength. It could also be learning a new skill or taking on additional responsibilities at work.
On a larger level, it could be seeking a promotion or moving into a leadership role.
Whatever the goal is, make sure it includes growing professionally. The worst thing you can do is stay the same! If you're not growing your career, you're dying—and becoming a lot less valuable to your employer. There are always ways to upskill!
Better Serve Your Professional Network
With current colleagues, former colleagues, and other professional acquaintances, you've probably built a solid professional network through the years. A strong professional network can come in handy if you lose your job or are looking to make a career change. However, you shouldn't just rely on your network when you're in need!
It's important to find ways to offer value to your network. This could include checking in with members of your network from time to time. Exchange messages on LinkedIn to see how they're doing or share relevant content of interest. If you can help someone in your network going through a career challenge, you should!
Maintaining a strong professional network is like an investment. If you want it to pay off, you have to put some time into it and be consistent.
Take Care Of Yourself
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Working on your career is hard work! It's okay to be selfish sometimes. Whether you're working to grow your career or looking for a new job, it's important to find balance.
Your family and health always come first, so make sure your career goals don't interfere with that. If you want to set aside time during the week to work on your career that's fine, but don't miss important family events or milestones.
Don't let your career goals get in the way of your health goals. Go to the gym, take a walk, or go for a jog. Balance is key to maintaining healthy career and life goals. Sometimes you just need to adjust that balance as you go.
Need help sticking to your career resolutions?
Become a member to learn how to UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!
This article was originally published at an earlier date.
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