thursday,march 21, 2013 - County Times - Southern Maryland Online

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The County Times Thursday, March 21, 2013 10 Professionals Are Downshifting Careers Climbing the corporate ladder takes time, devotion and ambition. After reaching the top, some professionals choose to change directions in a phenomenon called “downshifting.” A 2009 publication from the AARP Public Policy Institute noted that many older workers, as they approach retirement age, are looking to trade in a higher-paying, demanding job for one with more flexibility, less responsibility and lower pay. A study by the University of Michigan for the National Institute on Aging’s Health and Retirement Study found 28.8 percent of males and 24.3 percent of females ages 51 to 55 changed careers after age 50. In the current economy, this downshifting or career reassessment can be difficult to come by. That’s because there are many other job seekers who are interested in any position they can get and will be vying for the lower-paying jobs that some downshifters may also be seeking. In addition, some firms won’t consider applicants whom they deem overqualified. Some human resources departments and recruiters simply overlook high-qualified applicants because they may assume the skill level also comes with a need for a high salary – even if this is not the case. There are others who are willing to take the gamble on a well-qualified applicant. They realize that this opportunity may not come again if the market rebounds. Those who are looking to downshift may have to change the ways they market themselves. It may not entail listing your most notable achievements on your resume, but rather selling yourself a little short. Here are some tips you can employ if you’re looking to scale back your job and responsibilities. • Apply at smaller companies that may not have the staff or resources to promote from within just yet. There’s a good chance your experience and leadership abilities will be prized in such a company. • Play up your assets, not the positions you have held, on resumes. • Be honest in your cover letter, letting hiring managers know you are serious about taking a step back in rank. • Consider freelancing or consulting if you’re having trouble finding a full-time gig. Freelancing lets you set your own hours and pace. • Find out if you can downshift in your current company. Some employers will be anxious to keep a good worker and see the benefit in paying a lower salary. Not everyone is interested in moving up the corporate ladder. Certain individuals are looking to downsize their jobs to gain more flexibility for family, hobbies and other pursuits. metrocreativeconnection.com By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Local Manufacturer Builds Pre-fab Bomb Shelters Triton Metals, based in California, has made a name for itself in the metal fabrication business, especially when it comes to creating items for the defense industry. Now they are branching out into the civil defense market by manufacturing bomb shelters from plate steel. They are prefabricated ready to be laid into the ground. Triton Metal staff has a prototype model on display in the parking lot of their facility on Airport View Drive. It is complete with four bunk beds, an air pump that can filter nuclear, biological and chemical contaminates, a bathroom and shower, kitchenette with refrigerator and lockers that can hold food, supplies and weapons and ammunition. A couch and TV set round out a lounge area. “It’s made from quarter-inch plate steel and it basically goes directly underground,” said Mike Hutson, business development manager at Triton Metals. “You can make a colony out of these things.” Each of the bomb shelters can be linked together, Hutson explained, to form a kind of subterranean community. Hutson said concerns about possible civil unrest and financial collapse prompted Triton Metals to explore the burgeoning prepping and survivalist community. Their prototype model was recently showcased at Triton Metals just showed its new underground bomb shelter at a prepper and survivalist show in Nashville, Tennessee. Photos By Guy Leonard The interior of the new bomb shelter is cramped but comfortable. a prepper convention in Nashville, Tenn., he said. Most underground bunkers have to be built on the site where they would be put to rest but Triton Metals builds the shelter in their factory and can then ship it to the customer. The end product can be adjusted to suit whatever the customer’s needs are, he said. “It’s whatever the customer wants, they’re totally customizable,” Hutson said. The end goal of the business expansion is also to increase the number of local jobs, about 100 jobs in total, Hutson said. “We want to increase manufacturing jobs in the county,” Hutson said. guyleonard@countytimes.net Precise Systems Recognized by DiversityBusiness.com Precise Systems, Inc. is pleased to announce that we have been recently recognized by DiversityBusiness.com as the 13th most successful Disabled Veteran Owned Business in the United States and also ranked Precise in 14th position of the top 100 Privately-held Businesses in Maryland. Both of these rankings, which honor companies by revenue and diversity affiliation, represent the nation’s top multicultural earners and provide a comprehensive look at an important segment of the United States economy - America’s privately held companies. “We’re very honored that DiversityBusiness.com selected Precise Systems for inclusion on its list,” said Tom Curtis, CEO. “The diversity of our workforce broadens the range of ideas and perspectives which we’re able to bring to bear for the benefit of our clients. Being named one of the Top 100 Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses in the U.S. provides public sector recognition of the incalculable value of our Veterans as they transition into private industry.”
11 Thursday, March 21, 2013 The County Times SERVING SOUTHERN MARYLAND FOR 55 YEARS Raleys ’ SINCE 1958 HOME FURNISHINGS WALDORF: 11800 Holly Lane 301-843-0000 LEXINGTON PARK: 21716 Great Mills Rd 301-863-8181 NORMAL HOURS ARE MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 10AM -7PM. SUNDAYS IN WALDORF ONLY FROM NOON - 5PM www.raleyshomefurnishings.com
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