Following the trillion-$ ‘stimulus’, the big banks are doing well again, and the stock market appears to be inching up. But, in my opinion, the fundamentals have NOT been corrected and more financial disruption is coming.
The big financial institutions have re-balanced themselves with shabby chicanery like hair-trigger late-fees on credit-cards, high interest rates on questionable loans, and yet again, trading in high-risk derivatives. New credit-card laws have come into effect but they are trivial barriers easily avoided through legal artifice.
Meanwhile Congress fiddles, while America burns.
Many astute financial analysts predict a larger than previous shock later this year. There are only two possibilities:
1. The world’s economic problems are largely solved, except for more unemployment, which will be left dangling.
2. A financial after-shock even greater than the first, with no hope of further ‘stimulus’ because the world has already ‘been there, done that’.
If the future is possibility two then the big question is whether this next crash will result in much more profound change, shifting the world to a completely different status. In his book, ‘A Vision for 2012’, John Peterson discusses the cycles of American social history which predict a major disruption of the magnitude of the Great Depression.
We are living in a time of unprecedented, exponential change – population growth, species depletion, science discoveries, natural resource usage, technological invention, and information and knowledge growth, and more.
The system in which we live is getting far larger and more complex at such extraordinary rates that it is getting beyond human ability to understand or control. There is no precedent. The ‘experts’ do not have the history or experience to suggest solutions. And so, world leaders put on a brave face and pretend that everything is OK, hoping for the best.
As a futurist, like a weather reporter, I am simply highlighting the indicators that point to the coming shift. But, beyond that, you and I must find ways to deal with what is likely to happen. I cannot presume to suggest a plan to cope with what may come. I do suggest, however, that you do your own research, to build your own plan. The Internet has lots of stuff on this subject – and you know how to use Google.
TEN steps to finding the right job
If you are employed and see layoffs and pay-freezes coming, start your search early. Do not wait to be laid off – you will lose a lot of your bargaining power.
If you are already unemployed, it is time to consider what you would REALLY LIKE to do. DO NOT look for a similar job in a similar company. If you are an engineer, maybe this is a good time to get into sales or marketing, or start a different job in a totally different type of company. Find something you LIKE to do.
Find the right job-search firm (head-hunter). A good one will expect exclusivity; before you sign anything, make sure there is a time limit, and define the conditions for doing your own search. Here are my 10 steps to landing the right job:
1. Looking for a job is a full-time job (40-hour week). Do not ‘feel’ unemployed. Recognise your own value.
2. Determine where (location) you want to live and work. Slowly expand the area to easy commuting distance.
3. BEFORE you apply, study an employer’s website. Pick companies you like. Measure yourself against their needs. Do not stretch just to get an interview; if you do not fit, you may be wasting your own time.
4. Do not mail your résumé to ‘Human Resources’, or to a title. Find an individual’s name; first phone that person to introduce yourself. Mail, fax or e-mail your 1 page résumé (summary) directly to that individual. No one will read two or three pages till the interview.
5. When you connect, talk about your specific knowledge of the company (gleaned from their website). Talk about specific jobs and how you fit. Do not force-fit.
6. When you visit, do not just give passive responses. Be assertive. Ask specific questions about the company, the people, products, markets, growth plans.
7. Ask people about themselves. Ask to be shown around – take interest in the people, the culture and the facilities. They will respect your interest.
8. When asked what you would like to be paid, do not act greedy, or anxious. Ask what the position pays? What are the prospects for advancement? Look for things like employee ownership and performance incentives. Look for a position that suits your plan for yourself.
9. Do not agree to anything at the interview. Ask for a formal offer, and suggest that you will think about it. And think about it. Is this a company you can be excited about? Is this a job where you can spend the next five years?
10. Do not accept the first offer that comes along. Respect your own value. Ideally, you should choose between two or three good offers. Do not go to the highest bidder. Pick the company you can be happy with in the long term, the people that value YOU the most.
Jim Pinto is an industry analyst and commentator, writer, technology futurist and angel investor. His popular e-mail newsletter, JimPinto.com eNews, is widely read (with direct circulation of about 7000 and web-readership of two to three times that number). His areas of interest are technology futures, marketing and business strategies for a fast-changing environment, and industrial automation with a slant towards technology trends.
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