FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                  April 2, 2009

Contact: Diane Miller
Phone: 916-977-3700
dmiller@wilcoxcareer.com

Facing Layoffs and Shrinking Industry Segments,
Many Employees Opt for Recareering

Sacramento, C.A. (April 2, 2009) – According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of unemployed persons has increased by 4.1 million over the last 12 months. And, the job market in the Sacramento region is tighter than ever with news of the Sacramento regions unemployment rate at 10.8% according to the March 2009 Labor Market Information report provided by the Employment Development Department. Competition for jobs is fierce, especially in shrinking industry segments such as the housing and financial industries. An emerging workforce trend is to recareer, a term quickly becoming mainstream in the U.S. vernacular.

“Whether you are already unemployed or see the writing on the proverbial job-loss wall, the first inclination is often to take whatever job you can get as soon as possible; and that may be your best option,” said, Marilyn Nelson, Vice President with Career Partners International firm Wilcox Miller & Nelson in Sacramento, CA, (www.wilcoxcareer.com). “But your situation may also give you a valuable opportunity to reassess your career direction and see if recareering is right for you.

“In the past, we worked with clients who were recareering to follow a career they had dreamed about but never pursued. Today, clients are recareering because their current career paths offer very limited job opportunities or they want to stay in the town where they live but the jobs are going away.”

Is Recareering Right for You?
A good candidate for recareering is someone who has a desire to change, is open to learning new things, enjoys the exploration process and has some financial discretion. They can take a step back if necessary to fulfill a new dream or direction. Similarly, you’ll have more recareering options if you don’t mind being the new man on the totem pole (you may have to start at a lower-level position than what you are accustomed to), and you’re willing to relocate.

How to Get Started
“If you think there is even a chance that you could be laid off from your current job, get your action plan together,” said Ms. Nelson. “You can work on your finances and get any training you may need. Do the esearch you need to do.” Ms. Nelson suggests investigating possible education reimbursement programs ffered by employers as well as state-sponsored financial assistance for re-education. Knowing whether or not you will receive a severance package or outplacement support is important.

Once you’ve made a decision to recareer, the first step is identifying what you want to do. Ms. Nelson said her clients benefit by going through a formal assessment process to discern their strengths and weaknesses. “Think about your natural talents, the things that you do effortlessly,” she said. “What at work gives you energy? What takes it away? What gives you the most joy? If you can find a job that has more of what you are interested in and less of what you don’t, it will be easier for you to be successful. Think about your career—if you weren’t doing this what would you do?”

With some possible new career directions to consider, the real work begins. “You need to research the field that you are interested in through the Internet and by networking with people who actually do the job,” explained Ms. Nelson, “You should also network with HR professionals who understand the skills needed for the job.” Ms. Nelson recommends these specific steps:
     •    Informational interviews (talk to other people who have made
          career changes and people who work in your desired field)
     •    Put together a financial plan
     •    Find a career support group
     •    Find a career coach to help you through the process

Common Mistakes When Making a Career Transition
A common pitfall when making a career transition is getting frustrated and giving up too early. “People go in with unrealistic expectations about how easy it will be,” said Ms. Nelson. “They feel like it is all or nothing. There may not be ‘one’ right thing.

“A common mistake that people make is underestimating the requirements and commitment needed to recareer. And even if you commit to recareering, there are no guarantees that you will be successful.”

Marilyn Nelson and her colleagues at CPI firms across the country help people work through this process. Some people who think they are interested in recareering, after researching and evaluating realize that they were on already on the right career track. So either way, going through the process is a positive.

And how can you be successful? Ms. Nelson suggested going in with the attitude of a recent college graduate. “They think they can do anything and they are generally willing to do anything,” said Ms. Nelson “They have spunk and energy that is engaging and impressive. When making a career change—and in life, that same attitude will get you a long way.”

Wilcox Miller & Nelson is a well-respected Northern California talent management solutions firm celebrating 30 years of excellence. We partner with organizations in executive and board search, leadership development and career transition. We are certified by the State of California as a State Woman Business Enterprise and as a Small Business.

Wilcox Miller & Nelson
100 Howe Ave., Suite 155 North
Sacramento, CA 95825
916-977-3700
www.wilcoxcareer.com

Career Partners International (CPI) is one of the world’s largest providers of talent management solutions with more than 160 offices in 20 countries around the world and serving every state in the United States. Established in 1987, CPI focuses on talent management, outplacement and executive coaching services backed by the expertise and experience of more than 1,600 highly trained professionals. www.cpiworld.com.