But at the same time as all these Jobs in Manufacturing and Production are evaporating millions of new Jobs are being created. Often the new Job that is created is an offshoot of a hobby or special interest that someone has managed to find a niche for. A useful exercise is to research some of these newly minted professional categories and see what qualifications they require.

These opportunities are especially ripe when it comes to web based companies. Business on the Internet sounds a lot like the way writers used to describe the Gold Rush - people are risking all they have (and most of what other people have!) in the hope that they'll strike it rich by accessing something extremely valuable. For the 49'ers it was gold, for Net companies it is market share, or eyeballs that are attached (in the larger sense) to credit card numbers.

How do your skills translate to the ongoing Net Rush? Some of the early adopters of Net technology that are now running Internet businesses may be reluctant to hire workers they perceive to be 'out of the loop'. It may be worth re-tooling your resume and skill set definition to show that you are not a corporate bureaucrat incapable of assuming a new role. You don't have to be an acrobat to show your work flexibility, but you should be able to change your description of your work abilities to reflect the specific position you are applying for a Job.

Many of these 'new' Jobs are slight variations on the old standards, like sales, marketing, and management. What may be different is the need to think 'outside the box'. Whereas policy handbooks and Company guidelines were strictly enforced in your old (or current) Job, Internet positions are notorious for demanding employee ability to make decisions based on incomplete and often conflicting facts. Vision on where the company is going is just as important as where it is or where it came from.

And startup companies that offer high potential growth and pay (usually via stock options that might turn out to be worthless) may be more demanding, asking for longer hours and weekend work when deadlines overwhelm early projections. Try to keep your skills and skills description (c.v., resume, portfolio, etc.) from being too static and easily pigeonholed.

Learning the current buzzwords and what problems your target company is facing make you look less like a dinosaur and more like a worker ant with a mind of your own.

-Mark Poppen

Offline

June 9, 1999

In addition to all of the Online Career Sites that have Jobhunting information, there are many hard copy career resource books as well. The frightening overabundance of career advice books and websites exacerbates the difficulty of narrowing down your options to a few excellent choices, but it can be done.

One company that I've found instrumental in providing a solid foundation as a reference tool is IDG - they produce the "… for Dummies" series, and their Job Searching Online for Dummies is no exception. It details up front the largest online employment sites, most useful search engines, and best sites for researching your target company. It also covers issues that will certainly be of interest to many Jobhunters: privacy of online resumes, fees for submittal, and confidentiality of items disclosed in posting your online information.

Online Career Consultants Shannon and Arthur Karl produce the syndicated radio broadcast "Log on USA", and have recently published How to Find Your Dream Job on the Web. It covers the best ways to use the Net to find what you want, gives you contact information for many of the largest US companies, and has tips for maximizing your use of bulletin boards as a Jobhunting tool.

Two more that I've mentioned before are Richard Bolles' What Color is Your Parachute, and Margaret Riley Dikel's The Guide to Internet Job Searching. While some of the website url's are outdated, the bulk of the information is still valid, and these should make up the bulwark of your hard copy resource books. Think of these as more than a one-time investment, because you'll be Jobhunting again before you know it.

Or better yet, you'll be Jobhunting again before your next Employer knows it. The next time you look for a Job, you want it to be because it's your choice, and you should do it without the desperate feeling of imminent demise that hovers over so many Jobhunters today. This is your practice run at Jobhunting - keep track of what seems to work and what is a waste of time, and your next Jobhunt will get you a better Job, with better pay, all in less time.

-Mark Poppen

Direction

June 8, 1999

Over half of the email inquiries I receive are from Jobhunters wanting more information on how they can upgrade their skills and pay scale. Since convenience is king, I recommend any of a number of online education resources, some of which are listed below.

Always check out the fine print with these institutions -

• Are you getting a degree, a certificate, or what?
• Will they help you with Job Placement?
• What percentage of their graduates has found work in their degree field, and how long did it take them?
• What was their average starting salary?
• Are they willing to defer payment (in full or in part) until after they have helped place you in an appropriate Job?

Interview these online educational institutions as thoroughly as you would a prospective Employer. They are vendors that are selling you a service - approach them as an informed customer and you are more likely to get something of value from them. If you are looking for specific, technical training, make sure you've explored some of the free options online, like Manpower.

Arizona State University - Distance Learning Technology - cable television, public television, satellite, microwave, videotape, and CD-ROM to deliver courses to students at remote viewing locations.

Central Metropolitan College, Australia - vocational education courses available over the Web.

Columbia Southern University - environment, safety, business courses, plus credit for life experience.

Commonwealth Open University - provides adult continuing education. It was developed to meet the needs of adults by offering non-resident degree and other programs on an international basis.

Continuing Professional Education Accounting and Tax Institute - fulfill CPE credit on-line.

Dun and Bradstreet Online University - provides accredited, interactive courseware for the working professional.

Georgia Tech - professional development training, distance learning, and masters degree via video.

Institute for Global Learning - offers classes on-line for individuals and corporations interested in Asia.

Mind Extension University (ME/U) - offering courses, certificates and degrees from over 30 accredited universities.

National Extension College - provides home study courses with tutor support for colleges and training organizations.

National Institute for Paralegal Arts and Sciences - Specialized associates degree in paralegal arts and sciences as well as a certificate in paralegal studies through distance education.

New School for Social Research

Northern Illinois University - outreach programs, conference services, distance education, and evaluation services.

PBS Adult Learning Service - has an online catalog of telecourses, av resources, and videoconferences available via satellite from PBS.

Rio Salado College - offers traditional, occupational, distance learning, and web-based classes.

Simon Fraser University - Continuing Studies - Includes extension credit, distance education, community and professional programs, conference listings, free public events and conference/event services.

Skidmore College - University Without Walls - offers Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degrees.

Southern California University for Professional Studies - distance learning college for today's busy adult learner.

Spectrum Universal Learning Network - free online classes on computers/technology, creative writing, & self-help.

Stanford Center for Professional Development

Texas Christian University - offering extended education courses via the internet.

Texas State Technical College - Distance Computer Courses

University of Colorado at Boulder - distance learning via correspondence and online courses.

University of Notre Dame - executive education, business training, and management development programs including Executive MBA.

University of Wisconsin - Madison University Online, Inc - offers online computer based training.

Worldwide Interactive Network, Inc. - professional development/graduate credit including online courses.