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Do You Know What Skills Employers Are Looking For?

Do you know someone who is currently unemployed? Whether you’ve been unemployed yourself or you know someone who’s been affected by the economic turbulence over the past four years, it can be quite frustrating. Having experienced unemployment before, I can tell you it’s terribly frustrating. Do you know what skills employers are looking for?

One reason among others, why unemployment is so frustrating, is the fact that the number of unemployed workers outnumbers the number of unfilled jobs 4 to 1.

Seems rather strange wouldn’t you agree?

There’s a gap in the skills employers require and workers possess.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics they’re currently 12.1 million unemployed persons in the United States.

Approximately 50 percent of the 1,361 U.S.based companies surveyed indicated in a recent survey by Manpower, U.S.companies are having difficulty filling open positions . Positions include high skilled jobs requiring advanced training. Additionally, the study showed American companies are less likely to invest in training than their foreign counterparts.

Similarly, a USA Today article cited 58% of high skilled Manufacturing and Engineering jobs go unfilled for at least three to six months.

Why?

Well one reason is training. Job Training is a major issue in the U.S. If employers want to fill high skilled jobs, they’ll need find the right talent.

Similarly if potential hires are pursuing careers in one of these sectors, they’ll need to find out what skills employers are looking for.

Furthermore, what does this mean for job seekers?

It means job seekers will have to shift their thinking and how they view work in the new economy.

In order to fill highly skilled jobs, candidates should consider adopting an entrepreneurial mindset. This includes exploring three ideas in how they approach their job search:

Find the need and fill it.

Find out what specific skills employers are looking for. Then find out how to acquire those skills.

Do you have to obtain formal training from a university or community college?

Are workshops and seminars available?

Google is a great research tool to find free and paid events in and around your city related to your industry.

What skills are hot right now?

Try attending industry workshops and seminars to find out what direction the industry headed.

Who are the leaders in the industry?

Using LinkedIn can be a valuable resource to research companies and leaders within those organizations.

Answering the questions above is the first step to help you develop a plan to narrow your professional skills gap. It will also help you determine how you can differentiate yourself from other job seekers.

Finding Work Is Your Business

Potential hires have to look at finding work as their business and not the headhunter or corporate recruiter. Every interview is like a new lead that could lead to a new job.

How many leads do you have in the pipeline? Look at this way. The more people you meet, the more leads you’ll be able to generate.

Additionally, treat the employer like a first class business would treat a customer. Think of the company hiring as a client.

3. Find a Network that’s Working

In a previous post, I posed the question “Is Your Social Network Working?” and the importance of utilizing your online network to find work. Basically, if you’re not on LinkedIn, join.

Start developing you’re online portfolio by building your online network. Creating a LinkedIn profile will help you build your online portfolio.

As I mentioned before, I highly recommend creating a profile on LinkedIn if you’re looking for work or a career change. Join groups and find people on LinkedIn that are working in your specific industry. LinkedIn also recognizes the “Top Influencer of the Week” for members who share information that others either like or post a comment. Begin networking people who are proven leaders in your industry.

Don’t be intimidated. Remember, they were once job seekers themselves and sat in the same seat you are currently seated.

What about you? What are your plans to acquire skills to improve your job search and career?

About Sandra Tedford

WETALKtoday stands for "Web Entrepreneurs Talk" and provides a platform for business and tech savvy entrepreneurs with information and resources to grow their business in the new economy.

by SandraTedford

What’s Google Telling Employers About You?

Editor’s note: Sandra Tedford (@Sandra Tedford) is a regular contributor, and as the founder of WeTalkToday.com, she addresses and teaches how to effectively use social media. She wrote today’s article about your online brand throughout the web.

Managing Your Online Reputation

Do you remember the last time you Googled your name?

Can’t remember?

Well, Google remembers the last thing you did and employers want to know.

Every individual must manage their online reputation. Why? Because what you do and say online is recorded permanently. Unfortunately, you can’t go back and change what you posted online.

Yep, that’s right.

That includes the comment you made about the politician who forgot to think before they spoke and the last time you gave your two cents about Hollywood’s latest celebrity breakup.

We all have a strong urge to voice our opinion on matters we care about. However, managing your emotions will help you to discern what not to say online for employers to misinterpret.

Employers want to know what potential hires are doing and saying online.

Why?

Employers are increasingly aware that people tend to let their guards down online. They want to know the real person behind the profile; To determine whether you’d be a good fit for their organization; And some use social monitoring just to simply spy on others.

How to Change What Google Tells Employers About You

Did you know that 1 in 4 people don’t have any positive content on the first page of Google?

Most people look only at the first page of search results in Google. That means if you don’t have any positive content on the first page you don’t have much at all.

If you want to look good online make sure you have positive content that shows up on the first page.

How do you do this? By doing the following:

1. Create profiles on reputable high ranking websites i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Linked In. Profiles on these websites generally show on the first page of Google. LinkedIn is a must have profile if you are currently seeking employment and most certainly if you’re employed. I’m amazed at the number of people currently employed that are not using LinkedIn.

How do I know?

If you Google a person’s name and their LinkedIn profile doesn’t show up, chances are they’re not using LinkedIn.

2. Provide positive comments and feedback on reputable websites and blogs. Choose blogs that have a significant following and traffic. Google tends to rank these websites very high. Google search results still show a comment I left on Quora almost two years ago.

3. Start A Blog If you’re looking for a new position or currently have one, start blogging about your area of expertise. This will not only help you look good online but will boost your reputation with your employers.

Managing what Google tells employers about you is up to you. If you want to stand out in today’s job market and be recognized by employers, you must go beyond the basics and do what others are not willing to do.

by ElkanoData. Browse more data visualization.

About Sandra Tedford

WETALKtoday stands for "Web Entrepreneurs Talk" and provides a platform for business and tech savvy entrepreneurs with information and resources to grow their business in the new economy.

by SandraTedford

5 Reasons Why Employers Should Hire Entrepreneurs

Editor’s note: Sandra Tedford (@WeTalkToday) offers an excellent post today on the value of hiring an entrepreneur. She is the CEO of WeTalkToday.com and is a regular contributor here.

Shanghai entrepreneur demonstrating their 2-way video conferencing + chat over current GPRS cell linksâ€¦. making this â€œBerry-Pieâ€ sweeter than my Blackberryâ€¦.I just realized that with the nested loops, I am in this photo ...

Every employer wants an employee who’s a motivated self-starter, and more employers should hire entrepreneurs. However, most employers spend way too much time looking for bodies to fill positions instead of assets that will add to the growth of their organization. Innovative leaders are needed to lead companies forward, yet few employers are willing to hire people that know more about their business than they do.

Why are employers reluctant to hire entrepreneurs? Because there’s an assumption that it’s difficult for entrepreneurs to relinquish control and allow another individual to take ownership. Most entrepreneurs are comfortable in taking the lead and being the boss. However, one virtue employers often overlook an entrepreneur’s ability to know when to lead and when to follow. To be a good leader, you must know when it’s appropriate to listen and when to give input.

Below are a few additional skills entrepreneurs hold that make them invaluable to employers

Understands the Big Picture: Entrepreneurs understand every aspect of business including raising capital, managing budgets, creating benchmarks and measurements, and marketing and promotions. They understand the difference between revenue and profit. They understand how their decisions regarding investments, capital expenditures, and cash flow affect the business short term and long term. Why? Because they’re accustomed to wearing many hats. Every role within the organization is often filled by the business owner. If they fail to produce results, they don’t have to look very far to figure out what needs to change.

Understands Victories Are Short-Lived: Entrepreneurs are constantly looking for ways to improve or top a previous success. Celebrating successes or milestones are important. Most entrepreneurs have a long term vision of where they want to go. Getting comfortable is not an option.

Takes Bold Risks: Employers want to hire someone who’s not afraid to take risks within reason to grow the business. More importantly, an entrepreneur that’s familiar with failure is typically more intuitive in their decision making concerning the business. Of course, this doesn’t apply to every entrepreneur. I know there’s some who never grasp what it takes to run a successful business. Those who’ve learned from their mistakes and are constantly learning how to improve are in a better position when opportunities come along.

Passionate about Their Business: Most entrepreneurs typically start businesses in an industry in which they’re passionate. This sets entrepreneurs apart from the average job seeker because they’re more likely to acquire knowledge that will add value to the company. Employees with an entrepreneurial mindset enjoy learning about various aspects of the business on their own time.

Understands the Value of Relationships: Entrepreneurs are more likely to engage in activities related to their industry outside of normal work hours including networking online and offline. Those that excel at networking have a valuable network and connections to other business owners in their industry. This is a bonus for employers especially if the entrepreneur has access to decision makers at companies they want to do business with in the future. Cultivating healthy business relationships is an asset and skill every employee should be required to develop.

Every employer desires a team of professionals that are resilient and armed with a strong entrepreneurial drive. If you look at hiring entrepreneurs as an investment rather than a challenge, the returns will pay off for your organization.

We’d love to get your input. If you’re an employer whose hired entrepreneurs in the past, what was your experience? Let us know?

About Sandra Tedford

WETALKtoday stands for "Web Entrepreneurs Talk" and provides a platform for business and tech savvy entrepreneurs with information and resources to grow their business in the new economy.