CREATE A JOB

While discussing growth opportunities, we recognized the importance of
researching company expansion, reorganization and relocation as a way to anticipate job
growth and meet that need. However, along with that idea is the thought of creating your
own job and proposing the new position to a company.

With the changing job market, it is apparent that the concept of lifetime
employment is gone. If these trends continue, we will see more individuals’ careers
comprised of working for companies and doing consulting work. In fact, a “typical” 30
year work experience will probably have 3 to 5 years at a company, work as an
independent consultant 1 to 2 years, work for another company 3 to 5 years. This really
forces us to take responsibility for our career and understand the skill sets and knowledge
base we offer organizations. This mind set will assist us in creating our job.
The crux in creating a job is organizational need. In other words, what do you
provide that an organization can benefit from? As you review the newspapers or trade
journals, keep that thought in mind. Here’s an example. You read about a company
losing money in the last quarter. Why did they lose money? Was it market conditions or
more related to an internal problem, procedure, etc. You may discover after a little
investigation, that an opportunity exists for you to create a job that will assist them in
their business turnaround.
The process of creating a job begins by viewing it as a job proposal. First, state
the situation, as you perceive it. In other words, a description of the organization’s
current problems or challenges. Next, state the various scenarios that could occur if the
present course of events does not change. Most likely, these scenarios will not be too
favorable to the future of the organization.
The third element of your proposal would identify strategies that assist the
organization in altering their current course. Obviously, the strategies involved would be
derived from your experience and would have a positive affect on their bottom line. The
last section of your proposal will express your interest in meeting with the organization to
discuss these issues further. Keep in mind, you can use this idea in approaching a
company as either an employee or a consultant. Much of that depends on your individual
circumstances.
When you hear of a company that could benefit by your experience, write out a
proposal of how you could help them. Search out five companies that you feel could
benefit from your skill set and submit your proposal letter.