The Upturn of 2010

Last month, the U.S. lost only about 350,000 jobs. Now, while that number is still alarming, contributing to the national 9.4% unemployment rate, the number is about half of what it has been in previous months. There will be more to come, once the ripples from the GM bankruptcy start to wash over the many small and large businesses that supported the auto industry. But, while announcing the GM bankruptcy, Press Secretary Gates said that GM would emerge even stronger in a couple of months. This action came with a positive prediction...a built in recovery.

Federal Reserve Chief Ben Bernanke predicted in a recent speech that the recession will begin to turn around in 2010. This may be wishful thinking or a little Washington magic, but one thing is for sure. No matter how long it lasts, there will be a time when things start to get better. The 4.6 million jobs that were lost will need to be filled once again. They may not be the same jobs with the same requirements, though. The question is...will you (me, too) be ready to step up and qualify for the opportunities of the upturn of 2010? Will you have the skills necessary to step into the new jobs in the retooled marketplace? Will you have kept up with changes in your industry or field in order to compete with the millions of displaced workers vying for jobs?

Now is the time to take stock and take a class, participate in a webinar, buy some books for some self-study, volunteer, job-shadow, and get the experience or education so you'll be ready to compete with the best of them. If you were one of the lucky ones that still have a job, how have you become more valuable, knowlegable, or effective to be one of the keepers when all that new talent becomes available? When those upper-level management jobs that were eliminated open back up, will you be considered to move up, or be beaten out by someone from the outside with better skills, experience and value?

2010 is only seven months away. SEVEN months!!! Where do you want to be in seven months? What goals have you set for yourself professionally and personally? That's the first step. The second is to determine the one thing you can do in the next seven months that will have the greatest impact on your marketability and employability. What course will you enroll in come September that will keep you in the running, or move you to the front of the pack? How can you improve your professional image (lose weight, exercise, update your wardrobe) and your resume. What measurable accomplishments can you add to your resume in the next seven months that will put your resume at the top of the stack.

Like Annie sang, "The sun will come out tomorrow..." Ben says it is coming out in 2010. Now is the time to get ready to take your place in the sun.