Wake Up and Learn Something New

The US Government has just released last month's job creation figures. It was the lowest number in two years. This is a revealing and disturbing snapshot of what is actually happening in the real economy, not the one artificially created for the headlines. Our US GNP or Gross National Product, is based upon manufactured durable goods. Unfortunately, the manufacturing economy in the US has not yet recovered from the devastating collapse it saw commence in the spring of 2000. The recent improvements in jobs and growth are substantially confined to the service sector. Manufacturing is what drives the US economy and it is suffering.

Do you work in this market segment? Are you comfortable? Do you feel stable? Have you yet realized that there is no such thing as job security anymore? That concept is gone. Unlike our parents and their parents before them who could count on working in a selected field for a given employer for life and then retire, we of this generation, working in any aspect of manufacturing have no such luxury. Our job, or even the company we work for, could change overnight or possibly be gone in a heartbeat. The face of the Fortune 500 is drastically different than it was just 10 years ago. Many companies are gone forever or have been acquired other firms or holding companies. Many have split up and others are now manufacturing off-shore in China or India. So where is your security?

What is it that you can count on during this period of instability? Where is your value as an employee? Unlike our ancestors who relied on a strong back to work the fields or do heavy labor, we rely on our knowledge and skills. Our value, what we have to offer employers, is located between our ears.

Aside from your intrinsic value as a human being, a creation of God, do you offer enough real value your employer so that when the tough employment decisions have to be made, you are one of the people who stay? Do you offer enough value to demand that a new employer will hire you if you are not so fortunate? These are tough questions. We do not really like to examine these possibilities, but examine them we must, for there is no more job security.

I recently spoke with a man that I had not seen in some time. He is the Quality Assurance Manager for a large, well-known manufacturer of consumer audio goods. He said that business was great, but he was fearful of his long-term prospects with his employer of 8 years because scuttlebutt had it that the company was quietly building their first plant in China, due to open in late-2006. He realizes that even though their products are technical in nature and superbly crafted, the plant's operations were basically assembly and packaging, and those functions could easily be done as well overseas at a much lower cost. Over the past year, he wisely reviewed his options, studied for and acquired his real estate license, and has begun selling homes part-time. He saw that he had little choice but to take action now, well in advance of what may occur to the plant next year.

He woke up and decided to learn something new. Such a need exists for almost everyone else as well. This manager decided that if he was to maintain his lifestyle and have a promising future, he had to take charge now. He had to learn new skills, because the skills he had been trained in would possibly soon be rendered useless, at least to his existing employer.

Could he locate to another position in a similar capacity at another company somewhere nearby? Possibly, but what guarantee would he have that they same thing would not happen there. There are no guarantees. He was forced to take action and expand his skills now.

Some people are not as fortunate, and we hear about them everyday in the news. This plant is closing their doors. That company is reducing employment by 60%. Another company is expected to only hire 15 people instead of the 45 that they originally thought. It goes on and on. What do these people do now? They have to act fast. They typically have to learn new skills so as to be able to offer value to a new employer somewhere else.

The bottom line is that since we no longer have any real job security, life-long learning is more important than ever. What is this life-long learning? It is the concept of continuous learning. Many people go through primary and high school, possibly college and declare that their education is over. It does not work that way anymore. We must at least be continuously learning additional skills in our chosen field and possibly even expanding our skills into new fields. In this manner, we offer maximum value to our employer or possible a future employer who may even operate in a different industry.

Wake up and learn something new. Sitting idle and dormant will surely prove costly to you. There is no other real alternative. You need to get busy now.

Daniel Sitter is the author of the breakthrough e-book, Learning For Profit, the revolutionary "how-to" book providing simple, step-by-step instructions to teach people exactly how to learn new skills faster than ever before. It is what the author calls a "skinny book", a new generation of e-book designed for busy people. Containing no "filler or fluff", it gets right to the point with no wasted time. It can be read easily and quickly on a computer, a PDA or printed for later reference. Visit http://www.learningforprofit.com/ or contact the author directly. This e-book is currently available from C|net's download.com, the authors' web site and a variety of online book merchants. Mr. Sitter is a contributing writer for several online and traditional publications.

---

How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?

Do you think that there is a big sign that... Read More

Surviving in Corporate Amercia: Part 1 - Email

There is a saying that goes, "The best offense is... Read More

Learn How To Succeed At Career Fairs

This career article will give you some great tips on... Read More

Are You Tired of Hiring Other Peoples Rejects? - 12 Mistakes Recruiters Make and How To Avoid Them

When John applied for a job at Oakland Company, his... Read More

Energizing Synergy

Would you like to have more energy and synergy in... Read More

Avoid a Three-ring Circus with These New Interviewing Strategies

I referenced the circus because I just finished another interviewing... Read More

Work Attitude Ethics For Progress

This "fruit for thought" article is for all human beings,... Read More

Ask Me No Questions, Ill Tell You No Lies

If only there were no questions involved in getting a... Read More

Dressing Tips for Interview Success

Dressing appropriately for job interviews is one of those areas... Read More

Should You Make A Career Decision Based Upon A Career Quiz?

Q. I'm about to graduate High School and I don't... Read More

Virtual Heroes: The Growth of the Virtual Assistant

Building and expanding a business is a difficult task, when... Read More

One Step at a Time in the Job Search

What is the first step to take in a job... Read More

Does Retirement Fit Into Your Busy Schedule?

Why do you work?Stop and think about it. Other than... Read More

Love What You Do!

"To love what you do and feel that it matters,... Read More

Get Dressed and Get Hired

Tying a tie properly may tie you to your next... Read More

Resume Tips To Take You From SAHM to WAHM

When looking for a telecommuting position, it is very important... Read More

The Musketeer Approach

Stories of intrigue, treachery, politics, lies, double crosses,... Read More

2 Job-Search Success Stories

Here are two success stories from my readers who found... Read More

Seven Deadly Types of Job Recruiters

Collect them all!Over the course of six months in my... Read More

Job Lead Websites To Use in Your Telecommuting Search

Let me ask you a question: are you tired of... Read More

5 Ways to Profit From No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (No Child... Read More

Ready to Move -- Anywhere!

"I have lived in this city all my life. My... Read More

Finding the Right Travel Nursing Placement Agency

Travel nursing is becoming one of our nation's fastest growing... Read More

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone in the Job Search

Most everyone these days knows what a comfort zone is.... Read More

Job Interviews: Plan Your Appearance to Make a Great First Impression

Your personal appearance is a critical component of that all-important... Read More

Children At Work: Looking at Child Labor in the Victorian Age

Today, it isn't that uncommon for some children and teenagers... Read More

5 Key Factors to Consider When Selecting an Outplacement Firm

With today's economy, more and more companies are... Read More

For Effective Decisions, Look Beyond Career Stereotypes

You've probably been taught not to stereotype people based on... Read More

Writing A Great Resume, Part 2

TIP: Update your resume often. Be sure to add details... Read More

Minding Your Own Business

Think you have gone as far as you can in... Read More

10 Ways to Speed-Up Your Job Search Effort

Today everyone knows at least one person who has lost... Read More

Fantastic Job Fair Follow-up

Set the stage for fantastic job fair follow-up while you... Read More

Booster & Drainers

Like huge anchors on cruise ships, other people... Read More