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

“I don’t have time to look for a job while I’m writing a thesis and finishing classes!”  In my time as a career counselor at a major university, I’ve probably heard this line a thousand times.

Most grad students saying that are right because they’ve avoided all thought of jobs since they started grad school, and they are especially pushed in the weeks before graduation. But now LinkedIn offers them an opportunity to become known in their field while they are taking all those classes and writing that thesis – if they take advantage of it.

The beauty of LinkedIn is in offering both a public profile of accomplishments and a communications platform. The profile can be filled in bit-by-bit, a few minutes at a time, and it can replace at least some of the email in their lives.

If grad students started a LinkedIn profile when they began their first classes, and invested 5-10 minutes a week, by the time they graduated, they’d have developed both a complete profile that will help them attract job offers and a way to become known and stay in contact with colleagues in their field.

What’s the minimum for you to get started with LinkedIn?

1. Start with your name. First, Google your name to see if others share your name, and if so, find a way to individualize your name, perhaps using a nickname (but keep it professional), a middle initial, or writing it out in full.

2. Choose a descriptive profile headline, such as “graduate student, University of Michigan,” or “Master’s Candidate, E.E.,” or even, “MA expected June, 2010.” The headline helps define and label your focus.

3. Upload a photo of yourself, and keep it professional. Think of the headshots of professors you’ve seen in professional conference programs. You don’t have to be wearing a tie, but don’t use a picture of your dog, either. Save it for FaceBook.

4. Use the summary section to describe your disciplinary focus. You can include your classes, your thesis title or a description of the research you’re involved in, but try to avoid sounding like a stuffed shirt. Interests, travel and languages you speak could fit here, too. And, you can use the Specialties section to add keywords that relate to your disciplinary focus or future job title.

5. Fill in the education and employment sections as completely as you can. Include internships, assistantships or any special training or research projects, as well as student memberships in campus and professional organizations. Include awards and accomplishments, especially if they’re related to your education.

6. Fill in your status box periodically (at least every term, but monthly is better), so people know your profile is current. Note the courses you’re taking, the professional events you’re attending or leading, awards/ accomplishments, or papers/publications you’re working on.

7. Join groups, especially those connected to your discipline or the field you hope to work in when you graduate. This is one of the best kept secrets of LinkedIn because you can interact with experts in your field just by engaging with other group members. By paying attention to the group discussions, you can learn about the issues in the field, and in the workplace, which don’t always come up in the classes you’re taking. Ask questions (and answer them) whenever you can. It’s a way of signaling that you’re willing to contribute to the field. When you see an article of interest to the group, post a News link, or begin a discussion. Engage and learn.

8. Set up your personal URL. Make it easy for folks to find you by replacing the nonsense URL (that LinkedIn automates for you) with your name.

9. Ask for recommendations. Faculty are used to being asked for recommendations. Ask them, and recommend them, too. Ask employers as well, and anyone who has supervised your volunteer work or your co-authors or research partners.

10. Start adding connections by inviting your fellow grad students, then professors, advisors and anyone else you interact with by email, especially if it is related to your research or future work. It’s commonly said that 50 connections is a tipping point and you’ll begin to see significantly more activity when you have that many.

11. Add content in the form of applications. That will allow you to add papers you’ve written, publications, PowerPoint presentations and other examples of your work. You can list books you’ve been reading and review them. Your resume could fit here, too.

Remember that this is not just a social twirl. You are building the basis of your job search a little at a time, while you are making your way through grad school. By the time you’re half way through, your job search will be under way, even though you may not have time to cruise the job banks the month before you graduate.

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

Lots of folks have sought advice from me and other Career Thought Leaders at this blog on topics ranging from cold calling, search techniques, bad bosses, jumping ship, jumping fences, compelling resumes, coaching references, and building networks. I have seen or heard the good bad and the downright ugly. Consistently what strikes me as I look back is the lack of knowing or understanding “the art of doing well by doing good.” I am talking about paying it back and paying it forward.

While it may be a generalization, so many of the “gainfully employed” are woefully ignorant of the nature of the job search and the incredible frustration endured by job seekers as they pursue the hunt. Sometimes it bears remembering that the shoe can be on the other foot. With this in mind here are a few do’s for those working stiffs who may be contacted by people looking to get out of the unemployment queue.

If you are seeking a job, please feel free to send it to those in your network who are working. If you are employed, please memorize and share with your friends and colleagues.

1. Respond to your friends’ requests for advice, connections or referrals! Sure you are busy. But take some time to consider helping a friend and even someone who could be a potential friend or colleague.

2. Remember and heed the past! Consider those times when you were in the job hunt. Do you recall how disappointing it was to get no response from anyone? Why not shave 15 minutes off your lunch hour to make a couple of calls or emails to help folks connect.

3. Return the favor! Are there folks who have helped you in your job or during your career that are facing bleak career prospects? How about the supplier who saved your skin at the last minute or the client that kept you in business with more business? Reciprocity is a two way street. Get busy helping!

4. Be proactive? In the course of your day, have you received a call from a recruiter looking for referrals? How much time could it take to provide names of friends and/or colleagues that might fit the job description? Are there jobs going begging in your own company? Why not reach out to friends that could be a good fit and get them into your firm for interviews?

5. Say a good word! If you have friends, colleagues or acquaintances looking for new opportunities, consider endorsing their capabilities. Web sites such as www.linkedin.com are a great platform to sing the praises of folks that have done a particularly spectacular job for you either as boss, employee, supplier, mentor or even nemesis.

6. Students are people too! Get involved in helping young people. Did you ever have a mentor that showed you the ropes or gave you disaster-avoiding advice? Sure you did. Take some time and be a mentor. Help others avoid pitfalls that may have challenged you. Spread your wings and take a couple people under them.

Paying it back and paying it forward is just the moral thing to do. In this economy, or any economy, helping people always pays dividends. Please share this post with your network.