 Ready, Set ...
So you're looking for a job. You may think you're "unemployed,"
but you're not. You're going to be working very hard until you find your next
job. You just won't get paid for it! The truth is, you already work for a
company. It's called Me, Inc. You are its founder, CEO and only full-time
employee. You will run this company your entire working life. Today you're
just hunting for a paying client.
"I'm not self-employed," you may protest. Well, you're wrong. You
might as well be "self-employed." Today you can expect to change
jobs, even careers, several times during your working life. The only constant
in this picture is you! So think like a small business owner-the owner of
Me, Inc. — even when you have a job. As the table below
shows, you're probably doing it a bit already.
Embrace the idea that you need to job hunt all the time, even when you
have a job. "View your job search as part of your professional work
experience, not an interruption of it," advises career consultant Barbara
Adler. It's a cycle, as the the Job Hunting Cycle graphic illustrates. And
this Job Hunter's Guide guides you every step of the way!
From this new perspective, each job becomes more than a way to earn a paycheck.
It's an opportunity to increase your skills and knowledge and value to employers.
It's also a chance to build relationships with coworkers who may help you
find your next job. By thinking like Me, Inc., you ensure lifelong
employability-the ability to find work easily. That's good because lifelong
employment-having a guaranteed job-no longer exists.
HELPFUL HINT
Me, Inc. is just a term to remind you that you must take responsibility
for your career. No one else will. Just fill in your name-Juan or
Sara, Inc. or whatever. Me, Inc. is you!
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Comparing Today's Workers with
Business Owners
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The Me, Inc. concept is relevant because today's
workers already operate like small business owners. Or they should!
Here's how the two compare: |
| Business Owner |
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Today's Worker (You!)
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- Realizes that there is no "job security;" that
hard work and continual learning are the only security to be
had.
- Has customers / clients: the public and / or other companies.
- Provides customers with goods and services in exchange for
money.
- Keeps customers happy by providing good service.
- Regularly improves services to please customers.
- May lose customers through no fault of their own.
- Attracts new customers through marketing campaigns that include
ads.
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- Realizes that there is no "job security;" that
hard work and continual learning are the only security to be
had.
- Has customers / clients: supervisors, coworkers and others
- Provides employer with skills and knowledge in exchange for
pay and benefits.
- Keeps employer / customers happy by providing good service.
- Regularly improves skills and knowledge to please employer.
- May get laid off through no fault of their own.
- Attracts new employers (jobs) through marketing campaigns
that include résumés and interviews.
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