Finding the Work You Love

Putting a Contract Out

In years gone by, the employment contract was a corporate lure designed to lock up key executives for a specified time. Today, by contrast, workers in many fields sign contracts to serve a company for three months, six months, a year—whatever they desire. This cyclical work allows an individual to alternate bursts of work with stretches of leisure.

Nowhere is the future more visible than in the nursing profession. A remarkable 55 percent of nurses surveyed say they intend to retire between 2011 and 2020. Yet with boomers aging, the demand for health services will only rise. What’s more, nurses are getting older. In March 2004, the average age of the RN population was estimated to be 46.8—more than a year older than the average age of 45.2 estimated in 2000, and more than four years older than in 1996, when the average was just 42.3. As if all this isn’t adequate cause for concern, some states, such as California, have imposed nurse-to-patient staffing-ratio requirements.

It doesn’t take a highly paid analyst to figure out that anyone with a nursing degree is going to be among the most popular girls (or boys) at the recruiting dance. Healthcare providers are responding with offers for higher pay, better pensions, and more clout. A few have gone so far as to offer free tuition and new cars. Meanwhile, many hospitals are willing to hire RNs on a contract basis, typically for three- to six-month stints. At some facilities, 60 percent or more of the nursing staff enjoys the flexibility of such contracts.

Yet contract work offers opportunities far beyond the world of medicine. Today, skilled professionals from a range of fields—engineering, software development, IT systems integration, finance—find themselves able to call the shots. In the years ahead, as the knowledge economy expands and older workers become the focus of recruiting and retention efforts, cyclical work is likely to go mainstream.

Boosting Your KQ

Okay, we've all heard of iQ (Intelligence Quotient). Some of us have heard of EQ  (Emotional Quotient). In Finding the Work You love, I've coined a new term, KQ. It stands for knowledge quotient. And, as the 21st century unfolds and the digital economy takes hold, it's something you need to be thinking about. Trust me.

If you want to be the best candidate you can be, here are some ways to boost your KQ:

Go back to school and earn another degree. This will help bolster your resume and ramp up your recareering effort. These days, degrees count for a lot and they reduce the degree of difficulty in finding new and more meaningful work.

Take job targeted classes at a university extension program, community college, or from a private organization. Certifications show that you've achieved a certain level of knowledge and proficiency.

Attend seminars, workshops, and conferences. Even if you can't shoehorn these into a resume, they'll make you more knowledgeable and better prepared for job interviews and future work.

Create a regular reading list. Magazines, trade publications, and online sites all provide valuable information that helps you stay current with trends and developments in any given field. Also consider setting up Google Alerts (www.google.com/alerts) to notify you when relevant topic and articles appear on the Web. When your search words match online content, you will know about it almost instantly.

Network with colleagues and build connections that count. Develop a network of friends, associates and others before you need them! Help them achieve their goals and they will help you achieve yours--even if its weeks, months, or years later. And don't overlook online sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook to facilitate the process.

Attend training courses your employer offers. You may be overloaded with day-to-day tasks but keep the big picture in mind. Those who keep their skills current are more valuable in their current job and future jobs.

Negotiate tuition reimbursements before accepting a job. A substantial allowance can make learning less costly and far more accessible.

These are just a few of the tips that can help you land the career of your dreams. For more information and tips, check out my new book, "AARP Crash Course in Finding the Work You Love." It will help you put your KQ to work!