What industry can I get into that doesn’t curl up and die?  I was in mortgage banking and then auto finance.  Both industries have closed or laid off and now I wonder where I fit in.
- Ann

Ann, you can go out and look for growing industries.  Keep in mind that the industries you’re coming from were high-growth industries at one time.

The important thing to look at is your skill sets.

You have a great customer service skill set. You’ve got sales. You are good at connecting people with money. None of those things are going to go away.

If you define the value your bring an employer based on your skills, you will survive the rise and fall of industries.  And that applies to everybody.

“What advice would you provide a job seeker with regards to the importance of Internet presence?”
- Sharon

We cover this pretty extensively in the Job-Right program.  Here are a few highlights.

1. Clean it up.

Get rid of anything that disqualifies you.  Hiring managers are primarily googling you in order to find reasons not to hire you.

Be proactive by developing your key messages and having them be consistent in every part of your public online presence, i.e. LinkedIn, Facebook, if and your own webpage.

2. Engage.

Participate in the conversations that are going on…at blogs, at LinkedIn.  Show your knowledge. Show your skills. Be active areas relevant to your ideal career.

3. Create a showcase for yourself.

If you want to set up your own website, make it a showcase for what you can offer.  Be sure that it speaks to your ideal employers and ideal job.  Remember, that this is your online resume. Put as much care into it as you would put into your resume.  At least it must be equally error-free.