Jobs Are Changing In Wireless, Telecom, Cable Tv And Internet How To Hang On To Yours

It's becoming obvious that jobs in the wireless and telecom industry are changing. Hanging on to yours is on everyone's mind. Customers love all this new technology, but that is just one side of the coin. The other side is where the industry jobs are and that is changing. The question everyone has is, how to stay employed?

In recent years we have seen the entire industry transform itself. One example is long distance, which no longer exists as a separate industry. There are no hard numbers, but I would say hundreds of thousands of workers lost their jobs in recent years.

Another example is traditional phone lines are shrinking as customers switch to competitor's services like wireless and VoIP and cable television phone.

One more is that television is changing as cable television now competes with telephone companies IPTV. Customers have more choice than ever.

All of these changes mean countless jobs are lost and added and these are just a few of the many areas in the rapidly changing industry. Every sector in the industry is transforming itself. Parts of the industry are growing while other parts are shrinking, and the same with companies.

The industry looks different from ten years ago and will look just as different ten years from now. To protect yourself, make sure you are on the right side of your company, and that your company is on the right side of the industry.

If you work on the wrong side of your company, or if your company competes on the wrong side of the industry then it may just be a matter of time before your number comes up and you along with many others are cut.

This is the harsh reality everyone in the industry faces. It is especially hard today when replacing jobs is tough because of the economy.

How do you protect yourselves from this harsh reality of the changing industry? This other side of the bright and shiny industry we have been watching develop over the last several years as products like the Apple iPhone and Google Android transform the smart phone space in wireless.

Just 5 years ago it was companies like Palm and Rim Blackberry that led in smart phones. Now Palm is struggling to reinvent itself while Rim, even though it looks strong in comparison, is not selling new devices at the same pace as companies like Apple.

The marketplace continues to transform, and that means the job market changes. If these are the new rules, then let's play to win.

To get a real and objective look at the changing industry let's pull the camera back and look at the industry as a whole, and your position in it.

An example is look at companies like AT&T and Verizon. They seem like big strong companies and if you work there you are safe right? Wrong.

If we take a closer look only some jobs are safe. Others are at high risk. What am I talking about? Take a look yourself.

Have these companies laid workers off? Yes they have laid-off many in recent years and are continuing to do so. Who is being cut? These companies have several sectors. It's not like in the 1990's when a local phone company was in the local phone business, period.

Today they are in various industry segments like local and long distance telephone, wireless and cellular, regular and smart phones, high speed internet, and IPTV which lets them compete with cable television.

Parts are growing and other parts are shrinking. Example, television is growing. This is a smaller part of the company, but is growing rapidly. Internet is a growing business, but no longer as rapidly as other parts. Wireless continues to grow rapidly, however the wireless sector is broken into various smaller sectors and only the new sectors are fast growing.

Are you working in the fast growing sectors? They are different than they were just five years ago. There are countless examples of growth opportunities. Some are older and slowing down, while others are newer and gearing up.

Then there are other parts of the business that are slowing down. Shrinking. Consider local phone lines. We think local phones companies have a solid business. Not anymore.

Ten years ago if you wanted a local phone line you called your local phone company, period. Today you have many choices from companies offering wireless, VoIP and cable television to name a few who offer local phone service.

So local phone companies may be growing, but not all the services they sell. Which side of the house do you work on?

Year after year we have seen them cut workers. On the other hand we have also seen them add workers to other parts of the business. Unfortunately they don't move people around. Each section needs certain skills.

So you should be focused on modernizing your skill sets so you can move rather than be cut. And move before your section is cut is the best bet.

This new reality is the same for every company in every industry including cable television, wireless, Internet, television, telephone, business and consumer.

Everyone is at risk and everyone has new opportunities if they are prepared. Companies like Qwest, Sprint, Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, T-Mobile and Cellular South and many others have sides that are growing and other sides that are not.

Take a look at the part of the company you work for.

- Is it growing or shrinking?

- How severely?

- Are they at the beginning, middle or end of a wave of growth or shrinkage?

- Are they losing or adding workers?

These are some of the key barometers you need to keep your eyes on.

Don't go to work every day and hope they management will keep your job safe. That is not their responsibility. They have to keep the company profitable and growing. If that means cutting workers in a slowing area, then that's what they do.

You have to look out for your own position in the company and the industry. If your job is at risk, there are countless new opportunities either within your existing company or with other companies. Learn what they need, then learn what you need to fit, and consider a move.

Timing is always key. Waiting until your entire section is laid off means there will be many similar people with similar skills all looking for the few jobs that are left. Take the reins and ride this horse now, when you are in control. It will have a much happier ending.