Obama to Add 3 Million Jobs -- Are You Ready?

[This post was originally posted on a sister site - http://careerfliexroads.com. I think its as important for recruiters as it is for job seekers. What do you think?]

According to a recent NY Times article, President Elect Obama has upped his goal of providing new jobs in the first two years of his presidency from 2.5 million to 3 million. Many of these jobs will be in areas that will enhance our current transportation infrastructure (roads and bridges) and help us cut our addiction to foreign oil (new energy sources such as solar and wind power). My fervent belief is that Mr. Obama and the new Senate will want to get started on this project within a few weeks of his taking the oath of office. New jobs should be coming online within the next few month. Are YOU ready? Here are some things you can do now to be prepared when those new jobs come around.

Build your network. You have heard that it's not what you know, but who you know. The saying is even more true today than it ever has been. Statistics say that
Enhance your skills. What do you need to know that you don't currently know? Do you need some training in a specific skill area or with a particular software program? Now is the right time to take a class or return to school for a program that will enhance your skills and abilities.
Develop a strong, compelling, memorable, and inspiring Unique Selling Proposition. Here's link to a recent article on developing your "Elevator Pitch" that will be helpful for pulling together your USP.
Create a winning resume. Make sure you focus on developing a resume that highlights that which you are both capable of and willing to do in your next position. It should include a strong USP (Unique Selling Proposition) and clearly quantified results of your accomplishments.
Explore growing industries. Some of the industries sure to grow in 2009 are healthcare and alternative energy. What skills do you have that might be transferable to either of these industries?
Clean up your Internet presence. Do you have an account on Facebook? Plaxo? LinkedIn? Career Crossroads 2.0? Have you updated them recently? Do so now.
Obama's innaguration is just 2 weeks away. Are YOU ready for the new jobs this new administration plans to create?

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Comment by Dan Nuroo on January 6, 2009 at 4:53am: Let's hope they can deliver. Great post by the way Sean.. thanks for this... some positivity.. love it

Comment by Rahul Shah on January 6, 2009 at 3:57pm: It was great post,something new with good and discriptive stuff. I look forward to see more post from your end!!

Rahul Shah
8986shah@gmail.com

Comment by Sean Harry on January 6, 2009 at 7:27pm: Thanks Rahul. I look forward to reading your stuff too.

Comment by saipeople on January 12, 2009 at 2:44pm: Excellent post!! You had boosted a lot more confidence in us.Thanks Harry

Saipeople
www.saipeople.com

Comment by Gayle Nelson on January 12, 2009 at 2:58pm: Do you think they will need recruiters?

Comment by Jim Durbin on January 12, 2009 at 3:09pm: Great advice Sean, but I don't understand the point about the 3 million jobs. If politicians could really create jobs, wouldn't they go around doing it all the time? If it does work, it will still take a year for make-work jobs to reach us, and most of them will fall under union rules.

Besides, if it was that easy to add 500,000 jobs, why won't we do it each month?

Candidates should be out looking, keep their eyes and ears closed listening to economic and political news, and focus on the microeconomy that is their local market.

They should follow your advice, but not put hope into any politician that he/she will solve employment problems.

Comment by Sean Harry on January 12, 2009 at 6:15pm: Jim, you have a great point. Yeah, politicians can create jobs by infusing $$ into the economy for specific purposes. They DO do it all the time -- sometimes its called a tax break, sometimes a tax credit, sometimes a "bail out". My point is that candidates should be out looking. Another point is that some candidates should be taking this time to go back to school and prepare for the onslaught of new jobs that will very likely be coming our way in the next 6 months to a year. I added another blog post about taking advantage of the opportunities available in this down economy. You can read it at http://careerlifexroads.com.

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