I am embarking on my next-steps journey after a month-and-a-half hiatus "on the beach", figuratively AND literally, with a great deal of enthusiasm for opportunities in the outsourcing space. (You might like to check out this picture I snapped a few days ago in the White Mountains of New Hampshire; imagine the color scheme during foliage season about a month from now. Fall is a beautiful time here in New England.)
For those of you with a job, you are fortunate. In our challenging global economic climate, you are lucky to have stability of income, intellectual challenge and a deepening of expertise. With a career in outsourcing, you are at the forefront of an industry that even lay folks now understand.
If you currently seek employment (and I have spoken with many of you in that boat), then you are in a great position too. Job sites and headhunters are scrambling for candidates with outsourcing experience - for leadership positions, middle management and operations. Sales jobs abound in a climate wherein competition is intense and growing, and the marketing function finally is getting the respect it deserves, with many opportunities in supplier organizations. Buyer companies are seeking sourcing managers. Law and consulting firms are entertaining queries from ambitious, smart experts. Publications and associations are looking for freelancers to help keep their readers abreast of outsourcing activity.
Demand for outsourcing is at new heights, despite an extremely cautious approach by potential and existing buyers, so job opportunities are high too. Networking is still the most tried-and-true approach to getting ahead in this industry...not only for the job market but also getting solid referrals for new and add-on business. I see no signs at all of a tightening outsourcing job market...not yet, at least.
