Posted By: Heather Eagar In: Changing Careers Staying on top of what's going on in your career field is a must these days with the ever changing economy. Here are some tips to help you stay abreast of what's happening.
There is nothing worse than feeling like you’re left out of the loop – especially when it comes to your career. But because there can be so many changes taking place in your field, you can look up one day and realize your entire industry has left you behind.
With the economy changing as quickly as it is, you can’t afford to not know what the latest trends are. Including whether companies are laying off or hiring, as well as what fields are requiring that you learn new technologies. So how can you stay abreast of what’s happening in your field? Let’s look at some sure-fire ways to get this done …
Read Industry Reports and Trade Publications
One way that you can make sure you always know what’s going on in your industry is to read industry reports. You can read reports about what’s going on specifically in your field, as well as reports about what’s going on in the entire workforce. By doing this, you can know if your industry is dwindling, or check on industries paralleling yours that you may be able to move into.
There are a variety of industry reports you can look at to find out what’s going on. For example, Execunet.com offers studies on hiring trends, information on what fields are best to enter, and much more related to top-level executive employment. Another industry reporting example is the Food Marketing Institute, which functions on and offline and offers a variety of surveys, facts and figures, and more through their website and quarterly reports regarding profitability, inventory productivity, and labor costs in the grocery and supermarket industry. Also, you can visit websites like ValuationResources.com that offer dozens of reports related to specific industries. There are many more resources available to keep you informed. You just have to make strides to find out what they are.
Read the Newspaper
Reading the newspaper may sound old fashioned, but believe it or not, it is still a great resource for discovering and staying abreast of industry information. Reading the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and the main and business sections of your local major newspaper can give you great insight into the trends of certain industries, as well as specific companies.
If you don’t want to spend the money to subscribe to a newspaper, you can probably visit your local newspaper’s website for information. However, to get in-depth access with the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times websites, you must subscribe online.
Join Professional Associations
Whether you’re joining a local professional association, the Chamber of Commerce, or an online message board, you can find great in-depth information about your field and the workforce as a whole by joining other professionals in your field. It is through these affiliations that you can make necessary professional connections, link up with recruiters in your field, and simply keep your hand on the pulse of what’s going on in your industry.
Staying informed in your industry is beneficial whether you’re looking for a new job or not. By always knowing what’s going on, you can become a major player in your industry, making a difference in your life and others.
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