Median salaries in the US

It was interesting to note the distribution of median salaries in the US.  This story provided by CNN Money reports Maryland as the top-earning state for the third year in a row.  I would never have guessed that.  I might have gone with Texas for its oil wealth or California for its hi-tech gazzilions.  Why, even New York might have been a top pick until the markets tanked.  But what am I?  An economist?  Nope.  Just a practical realist that wonders what these numbers mean for our wellbeing as a nation.
 
After all, the story goes on to say what really matters is the cost of living.  Well, yeah!  After becoming desensitized to $3.47 gas and expecting a $3.60 coffee to taste better than a $0.99 cup of joes ... no wonder then that cost of living becomes the secondary topic of such a story.  How about finding a state with a top-earning status and low cost of living?  Let us all move there.
 
But, since that is not a practical reality, how about we Ikembu our way to find the right opportunity?  What is that worth to you?

G-20 focus on jobs ... the Pittsburgh promise

The International Transport Worker's Federation published this news story about a declaration asking the G-20 leaders to focus on jobs when they meet in Pittsburgh next week.  Indeed, I cannot think of a better city to begin a conversation around renewal and recovery. 

The legendary steel city of Pittsburgh saw a drastic decline in the late 1970's when the industrial economy slowed down and gave way to the information economy.  Despite the presence of a world class university such as Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh struggled to re-establish its position as a world leading city.  By 1988, 61% of its jobs were gone.  Vanished.  Today, Pittsburgh stands as proof of what vision, guts and execution can deliver.  While it might not have gone back to its glory days, it clearly has emerged as a winner. 

None less than the Washington Post declared earlier this year, that Pittsburgh can be a model for Detroit. 

At Ikembu, we believe that it is important to have a global outlook.  Looking beyond our own neighborhood and city can give us provocative and powerful ideas.  Possibly even an opportunity or two.  So, lets Ikembu, shall we?

Predicting unemployment rates

Frankly, I was bit depressed reading this story.  But then again, hopeful that economists that predict high jobless rates for years will yet again get it wrong all over again.

The 'dismal science' has not exactly done a stellar job ... either as a scientific predictor of our future ... or as a shaman-like oracle proclaiming what lies ahead of us.  I find it curiously ironic that the story quotes the OECD Secretary General referring to history as an indicator of the future, i.e., "History says that jobs lag the recovery and the deeper and faster the jobs were lost, the more it lags".  Really?  What exactly does history say about economics?

Look, at Ikembu we are trained in economics too.  We are.  We love economics.  But shy away from making declarative statements of doom and gloom.  More so when it relies mostly on history instead of the promise of human potential and possibilities.

Let us open up a world of opportunity, instead of remaining mired in history.  Tomorrow is here, today.  Lets Ikembu!

Targeting your resume

CNN ran this story with some interesting tips on 'reverse engineering' the resume.  At Ikembu, we agree with the following tips (OK, at least most of them)

1. "Pinpoint the jobs that you want".  Let us add, pinpoint those that you really want.
2. "Take your cue from the job descriptions."  We would say, let the job description guide you but not become you. 
3. "Rewrite your resume for each job."  We agree, but current ways of doing this are clumsy.  Noisy.  Stay tuned.
4. "Create a heading on each resume that says "interest areas"."  Totally.  But lets humanize this instead of going keyword crazy.
5. "Rewrite your profile on each Web site."  OK.  This one we agree with less.  Registering on employers' Websites is generally a waste of time.
6. "Then -- and only then -- apply for the jobs that interest you."  We begin to part ways with the writer here.  Current approaches end up being too clumsy. 
7. "Keep customizing your resume, and updating your online profiles".  Frankly, is this even possible today?  Without looking lost and aimless?

Its time to Ikembu.  Stay tuned!

Volunteer your way to a job

Volunteering towards a job?  Why not?  New York Times reminded us that a good way to counter the emotional toll after a layoff is to volunteer.  It returns a sense of predictability and belonging.  Apart from the attitude benefit reported in the story, at Ikembu we believe that this provides invaluable richness to ones professional and personal profile.  We all talk about the value of diversity and experience.  What's wrong with getting a different kind of experience, while doing ones mite to better the world around us?

When you do end up Ikembu'ing, do not forget to call out the difference you have made.  Whether in a professional or professional-volunteer capacity.

Service sector recovery, +ve indicator

Reuters ran a positive story on the US service sector seen as leading US job recovery.  This makes sense.  Services have a lower fixed cost and barrier to entry.  Manufacturing comes with attendant fixed costs and long lead times.  With accumulation of inventory, any uptick in demand is bound to take a while to trickle down to the shop floor and kick-start production.  Services, on the other hand, enjoy much shorter lead and lag times. 

At Ikembu, we believe that the barriers to service sector recovery lie in the relatively inefficient and ineffective ways to connect opportunity seekers with providers.  While manufacturing comes with its attendant specialization(s), making it easier to match workers with jobs; services have so many nuances that it becomes pretty noise pretty quickly when you try do find or fill a job.

Isn't time that we prepared for a recovery by shedding some of the bulky burdensome systems and approaches that slow down the matching process?

Unemployment rates ... beyond a numbers game

The Fox Business story on unemployment rates continuing to rise is more than just a numbers issue.  Go ahead and you wont see anything earth shattering or brilliantly insightful in the kinds of numbers economists have cited to make their point.  I could say it in fewer words: less jobs, more people.

How about we begin to fix it where we can most easily begin to turnaround things?  For organizations that need to fill in new positions, how about giving them a more efficient and effective way to target and identify the most suitably opportunity seekers ... instead of wading through a sea of resumes submitted through job boards.

You have heard me say this before.  It is time to Ikembu.  But while you wait for the launch, keep your spirits up.  These numbers economists throw out come from the "dismal science".  Yes, that moniker was given to "economics" a while ago.  Some say, deservedly so.  Quit looking at those numbers.  You need one job.  Ok, maybe two to support your family.  Why worry about the other 9,699,000?  Right?  Go ahead and find that one opportunity. 

This is more than just a numbers game.  Its about your confidence.  Keep your confidence up.  Soon, we shall Ikembu together.  Until then, keep smiling.  Stay in the game!

The Hidden Job Market

NBC Los Angeles ran this story on "discouraged workers" and shared a few tips to tap into the hidden job market.  Giving up a job search, can appear to be the 'only way out' in a depressing down economy.  However, it just doesnt help that our current means and methods of matching people with opportunities is intrusive, inefficient and ineffective.  Discouraged workers should take some encouragement (ironically, so) from the fact that the entire ecosystem is rather suboptimal in terms of how incentives are aligned for job providers, enablers / facilitators and job seekers.

It is time to Ikembu.  However, like a cask of good wine, Ikembu is waiting for the touch of time before it can be served.  Until then, keep up that chin.  Break into a smile.  Its another day.  Be the change that you want to be.  Ikembu ... "I can do" ... Ikembu

Timeless tips for Career Advancement

Some tips are timeless.  Business Week ran this story last year where they said: focus on helping the company, don't attack rivals, and know the pressures on your boss.  How timeless.  We at Ikembu suggest that these tips hold up even in good times.  Many have said a job recovery is on the horizon. 

Career Advancement is really one's own responsibility.  While an employee could well expect the organization to look out for its associates, ultimately, it is up to each person to focus on where one wants to go and working on getting there.  Whether you plan to literally jump the ship, steer it or just stay on it ... this would be a great opportunity to focus on these timeless tips for career advancement.

Ikembu will soon be out there, helping you advance your career. 

Digital footprints in job searches

What a timely and relevant article on the perils of social-networks + job searches, by the Voice of America.  People have to be extremely careful about what they post on social network sites and other digital sandboxes.  For the footprints they leave behind can come back to haunt them.  In a moment of impulse, when logic is abandoned, some might post pictures or messages that conflict with their personal brand and identity.  Privacy is a quaint almost antiquated concept.  This leaves people more vulnerable to losing control over their professional brand and message.

Isn't it time to take back control?  So, let us Ikembu and bring back some control in the world of job search and career advancement.  Creating and connecting opportunities.  That is Ikembu.