Let’s talk about how the current economic situation is helping or hurting you

Hello SixDegrees members! I’d like to talk about how the current economic crisis is helping or hurting us. As the founder of SixDegrees I’m going to share my thoughts first. To put it simply, the economy is killin’ me! I am an HR professional by day. I am a Staffing guru/Executive Recruiter with over 15 years of experience. Due to this wonderful economy no one is hiring, so consequently they don’t need me or don’t want to spend extra dollars to find the talent they might need.

So what’s a skilled person to do? What is a college educated person to do? What is graduate school educated person with experience to do? I have considered going back to school, Again to get my PhD. Maybe another advanced degree would help? Maybe I should just become a professor? You can never have too many good teachers, right? It’s a recession proof job, right? Well, easier said than done. If I decide to go back to school it’s going to cost me quite a bit and take a few years. But a professor’s schedule would be nice!

I’m also considering becoming a Career Coach. A Career Coach helps individuals make career decisions. Heck, I’ve done that for years as an Executive Recruiter and haven’t been paid for it! I spend countless hours talking to candidates and companies about the careers. With candidates, we talk about their past career and then about what may be appealing to them in the future. My famous, “Have, Have, Have” question. “Thinking of what you have now in your career, what would you like to have that you don’t already have?” the “Have” corresponds to whatever you want more of; compensation, autonomy, a great team of employees, lots of vacation time, Whatever!

When I counsel employers I assess their needs as well as short and long term goals of the company. I also assess the department that is looking for additional talent. Does this department have a lot of turnover? why? How many candidates do you need? Why? What kind of culture does your company have and what type of person would be a good fit? These are the kinds of questions I ask on a daily basis so I think becoming a Career coach might be an avenue I should check in to further. the only problem is, how do I get the attention of employers and candidates to let me work with them? and how much should I charge?

Lastly, I am considering the idea of getting my Mediation certification. What a mediator does is resolve conflict. People engage a mediator instead of an attorney. It costs a lot less and usually doesn’t get ugly. The mediator becomes the objective third party who helps resolve issues ranging from employee disputes to contract negotiations. This might be a good avenue for me as well. There is a relatively short mediation class and the cost isn’t too bad. I will follow this one up and let you know how it goes.

I’d love to hear from all of you SixDegrees members who are trying to make it. Help me make my mind up. I am open to suggestions. In the meantime, if anyone out there needs help putting together their resume let me know. I can oblidge for a nominal fee. Best of luck to you all out there!

Lauren