Does a headline like this scare you?

<<... IP and other companies have shut plants, cut thousands of jobs, sold timberlands ... includes the potential spin-off or sale of its beverage packaging, >> it should because the consolidation is not over yet.

Don't despair just because we are in the "dog days" of job hunting there are action items you can do now to keep yourself primed for. FYI: Dog Days is the name for the sultriest period of summer, from about July 3 to Aug. 11. Named in early times by observers in countries bordering the Mediterranean, the period was reckoned as extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and the sun.

First and foremost is to learn to create your own opportunity you have to get your name out there. Just don't sit around wailing for the phone to ring.

Start with a vanity search and type your full name into GOOGLE. Get any results? If you have ever authored any articles hers is an insiders tip.

To see where your articles are posted go to GOOGLE and type "your name" + articles. Yes, use quotation marks around your name, then add the plus sign. You'll find articles you've written and articles written about you but not other references.

Disappointed ? Ready to get started with more visibility?

Here are some self promotion ideas for consideration:
Write an article.
Make a speech.
Write a press release.
Enter a competition.
Get an interview.
Start an e-zine.
Get a personal website.
Pick up the phone and call old contacts.
Send out a clever "how are" you card.
Give a testimonial.
Attend a conference.

Does that give you enough ideas? Every day you should schedule at least one of the above activities. The summer is an ideal time to get started because work is a little less hectic.

So the next time I hear from you I don't want to learn you "have gone to the dogs".

JoAnn Hines

JoAnn Hines is a packaging diva. She has nearly 30 years of experience in the industry including her work as the packaging expert to the U.S. Small Business Administration and traveling to China to lead a packaging delegation. Recognizing her expertise NBC TV featured her on their consumer segment, Can you open it? Her advice and articles appear in virtually every US packaging industry publication, numerous business and international publications, and website portals including "PackExpo.com", "PackagingUniversity", "Packaging Business", "Packaging Network", "Packaging Horizons Magazine," "Packaging World," "Packaging Digest," "Shipping and Distribution Magazine," "Warehouse Management," "Traffic World". As a featured keynote speaker at trade shows and conferences, she educates thousands of people around the world about intricacies of packaging.

Joining the packaging industry in 1976, Hines worked in sales for several years and began consulting during the 1980s. She is an accomplished author, speaker, publisher, marketer, and e-commerce expert. She has won numerous leadership awards and among other honors was named "One of the 50 most influential packaging leaders in the 20th century." She is the founder of Women in Packaging, Packaging Horizons Magazine, Packaging Career Hotline, Packaging Coach and Packaging University.