TOPS Corner

I heard from a couple of you – the page will stay up, and updated, at least for a while

This page will present timely information from the Maryland Council TOPS Representative, Jim Dittbrenner. TOPS is The Officer Placement Service, a MOAA-provided source of information for those of us entering the Second Career phase of our lives, or those already in the Second Career phase who are interesting in moving on.

You can reach Jim at jimditt@verizon.net.

Click here for the latest list of Career Fairs and Open Houses, as of 22 Aug 2010

Here are some recent Job Postings (links will usually be removed from this page after two weeks):

· 31840730 - Dir job announcement (added 24 Aug 2010)

· ClearedJobs.net Position Listings - 4 8-17-10 (added 24 Aug 2010)

· HR Jobs to Share 8-13-10 (added 24 Aug 2010)

· JOTW 32-2010 8-9-10 (added 24 Aug 2010)

· JOTW 33-2010 8-16-10 (added 24 Aug 2010)

· POAC Job Announcement 8-14-10 (added 24 Aug 2010)

· POAC Job Announcement 8-11-10 (added 24 Aug 2010)

· POAC Job Announcements 8-19-10 (added 24 Aug 2010)

· POAC Position Announcements Postings 8-10-10 (added 24 Aug 2010)

· POAC Position Announcements Postings 8-16-10 (added 24 Aug 2010)

· POAC Position Announcements Postings 8-22-10 (added 24 Aug 2010)

· Potomac Tech Job Blast -- Aug. 18 (added 24 Aug 2010)

· Top Jobs Of The Week In IT 8-20-10 (added 24 Aug 2010)

· Top Jobs Of The Week In IT - 8-13-10 (added 24 Aug 2010)

· Veterans Expo Flyer - 8-27-10 Baltimore Convention Center (added 24 Aug 2010)

Notes from 22 Aug 2010

The employment picture is beginning to offer some conflicting data. Executive Search is gradually moving up and the IT and Financial career fields are showing growth along with the health care. However, the IT and Financial fields are also the most vulnerable due to the fast changing technologies in those fields. For these two career fields it is critical for those professionals to continue their own technology growth. While not seemingly directly involved in career strategy it is obvious that the two activities are integrated.

Developing a career strategy is essential for ongoing as well as future success in any career field. While there is a need for a strategy for each search there is also a need for an overall strategy that allows for the greatest collection of useful information that can be applied to more than one search. This requires me to have long term goals and short term goals that support the move forward towards the longer term goals. These long term goals really begin with identifying my life goals, then my family goals (I define ‘family.’). Then come my financial goals, and fourthly my Career Goals. I need the financial goals in order to clearly set my objectives in the career area, particularly for negotiatons. From the career goals I can then look at the variety of position opportunities and needs to set my strategies for the positions of interest. Here again, the opportunities that I look at need to be within my career field. Further, I need to recognize that the old “tried and true” career ladders are no longer relevant as they once were. This only increases my need to have a career strategy not just a strategy for secure my next role. Along with developing my overall career strategy I need to incorporate into that effort an ongoing learning process in my career field and continue to expand my professional and personal network of contacts.

Perhaps now it is more obvious as to why I need to have my own Board of Directors rather than References that would need to vary according to my search. My Board members quickly become my primary advocates while References are reactive in nature and need to be changed more frequently than Board members.

Notes from 1 Aug 2010

The employment picture is a challenge I need to face and not to get discouraged and want to walk away from everything. I read that we lost 8 million jobs during 2008 and 2009. I also read that we have added 7.5% of those jobs back over the past seven months. There are a number of actions that I can and need to take to ensure that I move forward to find my role of choice. My attitude is certainly a key action to retain at the positive level. Learning new technologies is another. These are ongoing endeavors. Two that I need to work on immediately are getting a board of directors for me and putting together a career strategy that will get me the roles and exposure I want and need to move my career forward over the rest of my working life.

Corporations have them. “C” suite types and executives have been encouraged to develop their own for the past 20 years. Executive coaches work with their clients on developing personal boards of directors. The better transition coaches have been encouraging their clients to develop their own board members. So, why have I not done this? It takes time and effort and I have my “references.” Okay, so I know having a board is better but where do I start?

If I think of my board as a combination of “inside” and “outside” consultants with me as the CEO, what should I have? These are folks who know both some of my skills and talents and how I have used them. They also know me as a professional and as a person. They know many of my professional and some of my personal aspirations. All of my “board members” will know enough of who I am that they can and will speak on my behalf; and counsel me both when I ask and when they see the need. These are the professionals I admire and respect as well as like. When I think of networking, these individuals will be the most inner circle. They will also become my advocates on a career level and contribute to the ever expanding pool of network contacts that we all need. These “board members” will become my most effective “references,” that will help me identify and plan career moves and choices. And, as time moves forward, like corporate boards my existing members and I will periodically separate as our interests and needs grow more diverse.

Now, where do I get my board? The books suggest that two of my board members come from my industry, two from outside and different industries. My fifth board member would be, in a perfect world, a consultant to the industry that I want to be a part of. Perhaps I am already in that industry, but in today’s world that does not have to be the case. A way to start could be with my current top five references. I can approach each and ask if they would be willing to serve as a board member for a specific period of time as a tryout. My one caution is to keep my board to an odd number so I can always get a consensus.

What is also nice with the board approach is that my board members do not have to be located geographically together. Rather, as time goes by, they can and will be spread out over the country. This will give me a stronger picture of what is happening elsewhere that could affect what I am doing. More later. Next time I need to look at my career strategy.

Notes from 6 June 2010

On this the 66^th anniversary of D Day it is appropriate to pause, and again give thanks, offer a prayer and honor our military for their strength, credibility and humanness in addition to their bravery. Not just for D Day but for all the “D Days” each time there is a conflict somewhere in our troubled world.

On the local level, a few items have surfaced that possibly impact on our job search. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced that it will be hiring some 300 individuals to support the new initiatives in healthcare. These positions are to be located in Bethesda, Maryland. Hiring is to begin later this year.

A rumor has been floating that there will be a freeze in Government hiring next year (2011). Derrick Dortch, in his Jobs Chat column in Sunday’s Washington Post (June 6, 2010, Page H1) points out that a number of federal agencies that he has consulted indicate they are or will be hiring. These include DoD, Department of Justice, the Intelligence Community with its 22 agencies; the Veterans Affairs and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The VA announced earlier that it was intending to hire 5,000 in 2010. Congressional funding is the key to all of this. Derrick’s column will be on the Washington Post Web site. He will be on the Post’s online discussion on 11 AM Wednesday, July 9^th. The link is www.washingtonpost.com/discussions.

The federal government has also established a Veteran Employment Office in each agency. This office is to serve as the Advocate for the veteran interested in stepping into a federal position. References have been made to the website www.fedshirevets.gov; however, the site currently has information and links to information that are a bit dated. If one is trying to play “catch up” on general information it is a start.

Karol Taylor, a metro Washington DC career coach, cautions her LinkedIn network to read Government announcements closely and follow directions completely. Do diligent research on each agency that lists positions of interest including the agency’s web site, Google the position for new, relevant information; and be sure to read carefully the material you have keyboarded for accuracy, for relevance, and for completeness. This is after very carefully reading the vacancy announcement and identifying each and every requirement. She applies for positions to ensure that her counsel is current and accurate. When following directions completely she has had success in her applications. As she points out, the resume has only the purpose of getting one the interview. She also points out that the “effort” does not stop there. It is up to the individual to continue the research, practice handling different types of interview style and format, and to research the culture of the agency for fit.

While looking at the search process one can feel overwhelmed. Stay cool, take the process one step at a time, do it fully and accurately and move forward. And be sure to step away periodically to have a bit of fun.

Notes from 16 May 2010:

Why should I go to a Career Fair or an Open House? Let’s take Career Fairs first. There are a number of reasons, and we need to remember why we go to Career Fairs. Here are primary reasons:

To get information about potential employers.
To gain exposure.
To improve my 30 and 60 second sound bites and to gain in confidence when talking about my career.
To gain greater knowledge of the terminology used in the companies and industries I am most interested in.
To understand what positions those employers I am interested in are recruiting for so I can do more focused research.
To identify those employers I am most interested in based on the information gained at the Career Fair.
Talk to other professionals at the Career Fair to find out why they like the employers they do.
To find out who else in the companies I am interested in I need to talk with – a challenge but possible.

Going to Open Houses is another story. Whether I am required to register, send an advance resume or just show up, I need to really research the company and what it does, who are its sub contractors (if any) and who are the prime contractors (if any). I also need to carefully review my background so I can comfortably discuss how I can contribute to the potential employer. Using focused Accomplishment/Achievement Statements to illustrate my points shows that I come prepared and have researched the company. Here are reasons to participate in Open Houses, whether held at the employer’s facility or at an outside location such as a hotel:

To gain the exposure and get my resume to decision makers in the organization.
To learn significantly more about the roles the employer has and those being recruited.
To get the names and business cards of those I talk with and particularly those I would like to have further dialog with.
To get the information I need in order to write the appropriate follow-up letters (not thank you letters) that will help get me invited back for further discussions.

If I am asked to complete an application I know that I want to ask to take it home so I can be sure I cover all relevant information and so I can take the time in completing the Application so it is neat and fully legible. I can indicate this so it is clear why I am asking. If I am required to complete it at the Open House I need to remind myself to go slowly enough that I can neatly print my information.

Notes from 28 Mar 2010:

Good evening,

Derrick Dortch, President of the Diversa Group and weekly commentator on the Washington Post’s weekly online column, advised an inquirer on responding to a posted federal position. His clear and relevant advice is to “make sure your package is powerful, persuasive and targeted.” Additionally, Dortch points out one needs to tell relevant success stories showing how one can truly benefit the specific agency should they hire you.

This wise counsel can also be found in Karol Taylor and Janet Ruck’s new “Guide to America’s Federal Jobs” and also in all editions of Kate Wendelton’s “Targeting the Job You Want.” The better recruiters will also tell us that to be effective with the resume it has to be focused to the specific role we want to go after. So, for most of us that means that we will have a number of resumes, no two exactly alike. Beyond that, part of the responsibility I have as a job seeker is to research the role or roles I know I can perform extremely well, their location and determine my level of interest in each. I am reminded of an article in the Wall Street Journal back when it published its Employment Weekly publication. The story dealt with Astronomers and pointed out that in that particular year there were 20 new Ph.D. graduates in Astronomy but only five positions available. If this is my situation, whether because there are only so many positions or only so many in the geographic area or areas I am willing to consider, then I need to look at other types of opportunities and determine what additional training, education and/or skills I will need to secure a role that will meet my requirements. I also need to reassess my criteria if I have not done this over the past few months.

Today, this is critical if I am to be successful in securing another position. Once again it has been announced by Government officials, following a year behind the more knowledgeable economic prognosticators, that it will be at least 2014 before the nation returns to the 4.5% to 5.0% unemployment rate that we have come to understand as the most viable level of unemployment. Don’t mean to be negative but rather a strong advocate for follow-on education and training as well as possible volunteer experience to better prepare for the challenges over the next few years. I need to recognize and accept that even with the best connections I am not likely to find and retain a position of worth without being fully prepared and able to perform any role I seek. Remember also, a positive attitude goes a long way in getting and keeping me prepared.

I leave you with warm wishes for a quality and warm Easter holiday. Stay well and stay safe that we may meet again on the 11^th of April.

Jim Ditt

Skillful behavior may be said to be guided by master programs in individuals’ heads, programs that automatically produce the behavior in everyday life. … Chris Argyris

Notes from 14 Mar 2010:

Good afternoon,

In today’s tightening job market I know that the two most prominent and pre-eminent hiring sources are Employee Referral Programs and Networking. For me to connect with Employee Referral employers I need to do my research. I must identify those employers with Employee Referral Programs, establish which ones offer the types of roles that I am most interested in and where I can perform quite well. Then I need to identify the decision-makers with those employers and begin reaching out to my network. Where I do not have current connections with or into those selected employers, I need to let my network know what it is that I am looking for and what I bring to the employer’s table.

Along with the excellent books on networking by Lynne Waymon and her sister Anne Baber, Harvey MacKay, Kate Wendleton, and Howard Armstrong, Maribeth Kuzmeski offers solid counsel on networking in her book, “The Connectors: How the World’s Most Successful Businesspeople Build Relationships and Win Clients for Life.” Ms. Kuzmeski strongly suggests:

Set a goal to increase the list of important business connections; then reach out to each new contact to make it a connection.
Share something personal with each new contact (to make it a connection) and find something of common interest.
Skip the memorized “sound-bite” and make the conversation personal and natural.
Do not attempt to play the “one-upmanship” routine. A fast way to disconnect and lose the contact before it becomes a connection.
If having a problem with the conversation, offer an open-ended question and avoid questions that call for a single word answer.
Know your audience. It makes conversation so much easier and productive if some of the interests and views of the other person are known.
Be energetic and passionate about what you do. This is noticed. And lastly,
The conversation is not about you, but about the other individual. Always ask yourself, “What’s in it for them?”

Networking is not easy for many, but practice does make for greater comfort in the activity. As Lee Travino says, “the more I practice, the luckier I get!”

Make it a good week for yourself and someone else.

Jim Ditt

Always dream and shoot higher than you know how to. Don’t bother to be better than your comtemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself. …William Faulkner.

Notes from 28 Feb 2010:

Good afternoon,

I keep hearing that I need to have my profile completed on LinkedIn and that a lot of job seekers are going to Facebook. I do know that recruiters search LinkedIn, particularly for the passive candidates. LinkedIn is seen as the professional website. The other sites are social networking sites whose initial and primary purposes are social rather than career in focus. I need to clearly consider the fact that my information would be open to the public. Using the social networks for career search needs to be carefully examined. What do I want from the social networks?

Last Sunday the Washington Post, in its Jobs section, had an article on the U. S. Labor Department and its spotlighting of job sites chosen in an online contest, www.careeronestop.org/jobseekertools. Recruiters tell me to post my resume with those employers I want to consider working for where I have all of the qualifications noted in the job posting.

In years past, when it was not so much a buyers market, I could apply for positions where I had most of the required qualifications as well as others and stand a chance of getting an interview. Not today. Today I need to identify those employers that interest me, and then find positions that those employers have where I hold all those qualifications. Then if I am really “with it”, I will network my way in while at the same time sending my resume in via the employer’s web site.

I need to remember that the successful employers have identified Employee Referral as their number one source of new hires. Therefore, that is where I need to spend much of my effort. I need to network with the focus of making connections with the decision-makers in those employers of my choice.

This is where my own Board of Directors comes into play. These individuals are going to be my best resource for making the connections I need. If I have not yet developed my own Board, then I can reach out to my References. And when I reach out to these individuals I truly need to be able to present who I am and what I bring to the tables of my choice. Until I can do this I know that this is what I need to work on. Until then make it a great two weeks, see who you can help and be sure to take time to have some fun.

Jim Ditt

It is not enough to aim, you must hit. … Italian proverb.