Career action plan

Your career action plan should start with research. You need to familiarise yourself with the job market so you know what to expect and what will be expected of you.

Job ads are a great source of info. You can gauge demand for your skills and also see exactly what employers are asking for. Take note: the skill shortage is expected to have a direct impact on what employers will be looking for so stay tuned. Jacky Carter, a director of recruitment firm Hays, tole me recruiters were already advising employers to broaden their view of the "ideal" candidate to cope with changing market conditions. The Federal Government has also urged companies to get over their ageism. Sadly, candidates in their 40s and 50s write to me regularly with stories about frosty treatment on the job trail. That's a shame - not only for those quality candidates but for the Australian economy in general.

Other research sources include specialist websites and newspaper sections and professional and industry groups.

However, the most overlooked source of Intel is talking to people -friends, family, former colleagues and people you meet. In Australia there's a reluctance to ask people to keep an ear out for job leads and people feel awkward asking a contact for background on a potential employer or boss. Why? Normal people shouldn't mind helping out if they could. Many employers pay bonuses to staff responsible for bringing in new employees so you could be doing someone a favour. You don't have to sound desperate or demanding but also don't be shy.

Next week, reviewing your resume and cover letter skills.

By Kate Southam, Editor of careerone.com.au

Visit CareerOne and read the Blog with posts from "Ask Kate" and other job seekers -  www.careerone.com.au and click on Kate's Blog on the home page.