Recession proof your career
By Joan Lloyd
Lay offs, companies closing, 401K’s that look more like
201K’s…these are jittery times. If you aren’t
wondering if your job security is at risk, you probably should be.
But rather than spike your blood pressure, why not take some smart
steps to recession-proof your career?
If you were around for the last few recession swales, you may
be sharpening the survival skills you honed last time around. If
this is new territory for you, these tips may help you sleep at
night.
Step up your face-to-face and online
networking.
Although you may think, “Why network before I need
it?” I can count hundreds of examples of people who told me
that they regretted not having an active network before they lost
their jobs. Trying to pick up the pieces after they were on the
street was emotionally and physically daunting. It’s much
easier to establish a network while you have a job because people
don’t see your motive as purely needing job hunting
help.
There are plenty of obvious reasons to connect with people.
Projects you are working on, personal interests, professional
memberships are all logical reasons to get to know others who have
ideas and insights. Afraid others won’t want to make time for
you? Don’t be. The smart ones are doing exactly what you are
doing.
Reach out beyond peers to former managers, classmates and
neighbors to reacquaint yourself with people who know you and like
you. Meeting for lunch and simply reaching out by phone is a
time-tested way to establish the connections that can lead to
opportunities later.
Searching the Internet in your areas of interest will yield
many opportunities to connect with people you can start developing
relationships with now—geography doesn’t matter. Even
if they are in Singapore they may be able to lead you to someone
you might need to know later. And if you do lose your job, the
Internet can lead you to sites that offer jobs, opportunities
to collaborate on short term gigs, job-hunting help and information
on starting your own business.
Find ways to add value at work.
This is not the time to be whining about how busy you are and
how unfair it is. It’s also not the time to be running for
the door at 5 o’clock. The best way to have job security is
to have work security. That means you add so much value to the work
at hand that the company would choose you over someone else if
tough decisions have to be made. And even if you are cut, you will
get a glowing recommendation.
Most companies have abandoned seniority as the only factor
when deciding who stays and who goes. Performance ranks first. If
you add extra value by contributing beyond your job description and
being a valued team player, you have a better chance to survive a
cut.
If you are one of the first to be picked (or volunteer) for
new initiatives and serve on cross-company committees that are
working on recommendations for new processes and policies, you have
even more work security insurance. Have you been asked to train
others, be a go-to person, or assist your manager on his or her
projects? Even better. If middle management takes a hit, you will
be well positioned in a leader role.
Get your resume ready.
Why now, you ask? First of all because it makes you feel more
in control. Second, because it prepares you in advance if an
opportunity presents itself. Once you step up your networking you
are bound to stumble across work opportunities online or at a
cocktail party, whether you are looking for them or not.
Finally, redoing your resume is an eye-opening exercise. You
may not have looked at your old resume for years—or maybe you
don’t even have one. Doing a resume makes you take stock. It
puts you in a position of reviewing where you’ve been and
assessing where you want to go in the future. Even if you
don’t use it, it will help you figure out where you could go
next, rather than simply showing up for work everyday and hoping
for the best.
In addition, if you do your resume right, you will highlight
accomplishments. For each major job responsibility think,
“What result can I point to that will show how well I
performed in this area?” Use third-party quotes from
customers and from your manager (look on your past performance
reviews). Tell a little mini-story about how you approached and
solved a challenging situation. Think proof—did I sell more,
do more, and get asked to take on more responsibility? Did I cut
expenses, reduce turn over, or minimize complaints? Talk about so
many results a potential employer will drool. Play makers are in
big demand any time but especially during tough times.
Even if the sky is falling don’t look
up.
Project confidence and have a positive outlook—after
all, you are prepared! If you wring your hands and spin yarns of
imminent doom in the cafeteria, you will only be adding to the
problem. Management will be looking for ways to keep up morale if
your company’s clouds darken. It’s difficult for
everyone why make it worse? Instead, take the opportunity to rise
above and shine.
