UNDEREMPLOYMENT IS NOT A HAPPY PLACE

46% or 22 million workers in the United States think they are underemployed (source: PayScale). If you are in the aforementioned statistic and feel that your present position does not allow proper usage of expertise, read on.

Early in my career I was faced with this dilemma. Feeling that I was capable of so much more, I decided I needed to focus on my options.

I have a workshop, "This is Not Your Parents Economy"(c) that helps create a focus on the enhancement of employment marketing and career advancement. Allow me to briefly share a few tactics that I have utilized and/or have recommended.

1. Research (Is the market saturated? What can you transition to? What is trending? What is the future?). Review the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by Bureau of Labor Statistics. Did you know studies document that only 28% to 40% of graduates are working in positions that are related to their college majors? What makes you happy? What converges with your happiness and compensation? A large percentage of people 'fall into jobs'. They do not plan their career and/or accept what is available.
2. Career Makeover (positioning yourself better). Self-evaluation, reviewing your present and future options, enhance your attitude and habits to support your journey to success, invest in yourself: education (see #3), improve attire, body language, communication, presentation. Above all decide on a career plan, know your steps and dress for the position you desire.
3. Education (certifications and/or degrees). Know the position requirements, some businesses/positions value certifications over degrees. It is important that your mindset becomes one of learning. Learning is ongoing, it observes, reads, receives training and allows you to evolve to enhance your positioning and value.
4. Volunteering (enhancing your skills, networking, gain awareness of other industries). Volunteering for extra work, with non profits, working with job committees all offer opportunities for learning, networking and creating personal exposure to opportunities. Let go of the mantra that you must get paid for everything. Time is an investment.
5. Mentorship (wisdom can guide, create awareness of opportunities and challenge you). YOU DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING. Besides with so many positions and opportunities available you need help in developing your options. But more importantly someone to assess your character, talent and strategy. Be ready to be challenged. Be ready to be honest and challenged.
6. Communication (brush up on your interview, negotiation and presentation skills - especially how to present with clarity and be concise). Often I hear corporate and nonprofit executives say that many are ineffective in communicating with peers, leadership and their ideas. One of their biggest complaints is the clarity of emails. In my opinion, those who are proficient in the presentation of ideas and recommendations will advance exponentially.
7. Networking. So many fail in networking. Many confuse socializing with networking. Meeting people is social. Investing effort and time in others is networking. Sharing expertise and opportunities will provide positive exposure. You need someone besides yourself seeking opportunities for you. Building positive relationships is critical to the career and personal success. Know who the influencers and target are, what platfroms they trust and how to communicate WITH them, not TO them.
8. Marketing. The same marketing principles that companies utilized to create successful audience campaigns can be used to create employment opportunities for you. Know your target, the niches within and what their interests, needs, drivers and lifestyles are. Develop a a positioning statement and a personal brand that supports it. Utilize social media to build a community around your brand. Focus on a total employment campaign: direct mail, social media, alternative databases, advertisement, business cards, postcards all are effective.
9. Character. Your primary distinction should be your character. The first trait that is obvious to many is attitude. Some others that will serve you well are discipline, integrity, humbleness, initiative, resilience, responsibility. Be honest in your self assessment. You may want to develop a plan to improve those that you are not so strong in. It will be worth the time.
10. Habits are those practices that you do on a regular basis. The ongoing question you have to ask: Do they support my goals? Do they enhance success? If they do not, follow #9 points. There are several habits that are essential: time-management, strive for excellence, work smart. Build other positive habits on this foundation.

Underemployment is not a very happy place. Make it a stepping stone and not a career. CONTINUED SUCCESS!