The recession has created a sentiment of trepidation and uncertainty for many senior-level professionals. Outlook 2010, a national survey conducted by Graham Management Group determined that 47.8% of Canadian six-figure professionals are unsatisfied with their career. These professionals identified that the current economic environment is a primary source of concern and that “the fear of failure” is a major obstacle to their career development.

When it comes to career development during tough times, it’s all in your perspective. You can construe the economic environment as either negative news. Or, you can see it as a source of valuable information that will assist you in your long-term career success. After all, in North America, “more millionaires were made during The Great Depression than in any other time in history.”

There are three things you need to know to take advantage of times like these:

• First, companies are looking for new leaders to help them get through their difficulties;
• Second, as old industries shrink, new ones emerge;
• Finally, some industries will always be there – whether we like it or not.

The following case study illustrates how a Canadian professional can succeed when armed with knowledge and statistics.

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Case Study Displaced Canadian General Manager – Automotive Parts Supply

A General Manager for a struggling Canadian automotive parts manufacturer and supplier has recently been let go. As he embarks in his career transition, he has a number of choices, and each will take him on a new and exciting path.

It is already apparent to our GM that most parts manufacturers are having similar difficulties. So, he starts his job search with an initial market investigation and soon learns that some organizations are restructuring and recruiting leadership to implement new strategies and best practices to ensure their long-term sustainability. As an initial approach, the GM decides to identify automotive parts manufacturers’ needs, research specific organizations that may need his services, and revamp his resume to show them where he can fit in to help them survive the adversity. By targeting a few viable organizations where he is a perfect match, he is soon in a position to deliver his sales pitch to the decision makers.

In between interviews, our GM is not sitting idle. While targeting the companies where he is best matched, he is still looking at other options. From his research, as the parts manufacturing industry seems to be shrinking, new industries are emerging. However, upon deeper analysis of his own sector, this GM finds some exciting new challenges ahead. Although the highest declining employment has been in the manufacturing industry as a whole in Canada, manufacturers of food, aerospace, and machinery are three categories that have not suffered as severe an impact. Armed with this information, he starts a second, concurrent strategy focusing on growing manufacturing industries outside of his main specialty. He starts to disseminate a networking letter and presentation strategically, focusing on his expertise: leading manufacturing organizations, while minimizing his field: automotive parts. This strategy opens up a second stream of opportunities and connections in a segment of the market that offers more opportunity and stability.

Concurrently “working” all his strategies, he continues attending interviews and meetings while he builds his list of contacts. During his down time, rather than sending resumes haphazardly, our GM creates an online social networking and marketing strategy to further improve his visibility and turn the tables – helping his target organizations to find him. In short order, our GM accepts a contract job offer to lead a foremost Canadian food supplier out of potential demise.

Never wanting to get into this position again, our GM continues to proactively create his career path and direction. Keeping current with industry news, our business-savvy GM learns that the federal government has taken the initiative to advance $700 million to bolster the automotive supply industry. It is clear that the manufacturing sector will always be there – whether we like it or not.

Since our GM has done everything right, he is now positioned to meet with all the new connections he has made. Clearly, inside or outside the automotive manufacturing industry, he is poised to flourish in his career from this point forward in whichever direction he wants to go.

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In this highly competitive job market you will need to take advantage of all available resources to position yourself above the competition and remain at the top. The good news is that the resources available today are so extensive they easily overshadow the current economic crisis. The Career Thought Leaders website and blog is a very good start.

According to Outlook 2010, more than two thirds of Canadians targeting positions over $100k feel that they do not have strong connections and that they are not recognized in their industry; over 80 percent do not know how to approach the market. Do you want to join the statistics or rise above them? The loss of your job does not have to interfere with a positive approach to your future. You can learn from what you know. The choice is yours to embrace this as an opportunity to engage in a strategic plan to further your career.

Sharon Graham is Canada’s Career Strategist. For a summary report and analysis of the Outlook 2010: Competitive Career Intelligence Survey email info@grahammanagement.com

If you are targeting a position in Canada, you don’t want a recruiter to discount you just because you don’t know the country’s norms when it comes to spelling and grammar. After all, in Canada, there is no such thing as a paycheck. Your goal is to secure a position and get a paycheque.

To overcome the Canadian recruiter’s scrutiny, you’ll need to make some subtle, but important changes to your resume. By showing that you have impeccable spelling and grammar, you’ll pass the first test with flying colours.

Canadian employers regularly run into the issue of “Canadian English” versus “American English” when they are assessing resumes that come in from applicants around the world. If you submit a resume with a glaring mistake, the recruiter may feel that you do not care enough to do your homework. This could be just enough to eliminate you from the running.

Canadians have a way with words. Although Canadian English is not exactly the same as American English, it is not British English either. We employ subtle differences in spelling and grammar, which are unique to our country.

Canadian spelling takes on influences from our British and French ancestry, with a touch of Americanism. For example, in Canada, just as in the United Kingdom, we insert “u” in “labour market.” Yet, we opt for a “z” in “organize” just as our American friends do. A hint of French comes out when we use “centre” instead of “center.”

Here are some examples of words that are sometimes spelled incorrectly in resumes and cover letters:

When you write your resume, targeted to the Canadian market, make sure that you change the default language on your Microsoft Word application to “Canadian English.” This will help ensure that the spelling and grammar you employ conforms to Canada’s standards.

Don’t rely solely on your computer as many Canadian words are spelled correctly when you mean to say one thing, but may be incorrect in another scenario. For example, you may want to indicate that you practise a certain technique, and now you are opening a practice to start teaching others that technique. Note in the first sentence “practise” is a verb. In the second, “practice” is a noun. Your computer would not be able to catch this difference, so you must be diligent in your proofreading.

To pass the detailed review, your resume and cover letter must have no errors at all. If you still are unsure of the spelling of a word, use a good Canadian dictionary such as the Canadian Oxford Dictionary to verify your work. For acronyms and abbreviations, refer to The Canadian Dictionary of Abbreviations. If you are unsure of grammatical requirements, refer to a Canadian style handbook such as The Canadian Press Style Book. If you need help with your Canadian career documents, check out Best Canadian Resumes and Best Canadian Cover Letters.

Modern technology and the speed of communication have influenced how we use language. The Internet has exposed us to inconsistencies, differences, and mistakes from all over the world, making it more difficult to ensure correct use of language. Whatever you do, employ consistency in your use of language and you will earn that Canadian paycheque.

Sharon Graham is Canada’s Career Strategist

This year, people around the globe have turned their eyes towards the 2010 Winter Olympics taking place in Vancouver, Canada. During the dreary winter months, there is nothing more exciting and rejuvenating than the Olympics.

Every four years, this prestigious winter sports competition takes us away from our everyday issues and concerns. This year is no different. We can take our mind off the recession and its ramifications, which has clearly been the focus of the media worldwide.

If you have been stalled in a tough labour market, you might be wondering if Canada is the place for you to start up again. The Olympics may have put a spotlight on a new target market – one that may be right up your alley.

Although Canada experienced an economic decline in the last few years, it certainly did not take the hit that the United States suffered. In general, Canadians have been more fortunate than our American counterparts have. We did not experience the ongoing sub-prime mortgage crisis. Nor did we suffer through the crisis on Wall Street. However, the corruption and catastrophe within critical industries such as the automotive sector did cause ramifications in Canada, albeit not to the degree that we have seen in many of the states.

In January 2010, Statistics Canada showed a drop in the unemployment rate to 8.3%. These results were far better than the expectations of many economists and many Canadians are feeling positive about their future in the working world. Job seekers around the world have also found an exciting market in Canada. With increased globalization, people are crossing borders and trying for positions that they may have never attempted to apply for before.

If you are thinking about targeting Canada, here are some industries that are on the move upward:

• Aerospace
• Agri-Food
• Bio-Pharma
• Biotechnology
• Chemicals
• Digital Media
• Financial Services
• Life Sciences
• Medical Devices
• Oil & Gas
• Pharmaceutical
• Renewable Energy

Here are some Canadian occupations that have managed to survive the recession and are positioned for a forward gain:

• Government Agency Administrative Staff
• Computer & Database Administrators
• Oil and Gas Drillers & Service Technicians
• Environmental Scientists & Technicians
• Nurses, Nurses Aids & Orderlies
• Personal & Home Care Aides
• Mental Health Counsellors
• Pharmacists & Pharmacologists
• Health Educators
• Social Workers

If the excitement of the Olympics have put a new charge in your career goals, consider investigating Canada further. Here are a few sites to get you started:

Going to Canada (learn about immigrating to Canada) http://www.goingtocanada.gc.ca

Service Canada (learn about life in Canada) http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/

National Occupational Classification (learn about jobs in Canada) http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/

Hope to see you in Canada soon!

Sharon Graham is Canada’s Career Strategist