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Showing posts with label job survival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job survival. Show all posts

Friday, February 13, 2009

How Do You Recession-Proof Yourself?

Extreme job loss. The devaluing dollar. High foreclosure rates. A recession. An unstable stock market. Just a few of the issues facing our economy.

The above mentioned items don’t leave one to believe in or have faith in finding a job, let alone a career. It may even lead to individuals settling for less than what they deserve and missing out on their purpose in life. This is an unfortunate reality for many people, especially those affected by the aforementioned issues.

What can you do to survive, much less find your ideal job or career?

I read an article recently that referenced another article that asked, “Are Career Paths the Best for Professional Advancement?” You know, climbing the “corporate ladder.” For our purposes here, don’t look at “corporate” and “professional” as white collar, paper pushing executives carrying designer briefcases who drive expensive luxury sedans. Instead, look at it as working in a job or career that fully maximizes your skill set where you thoroughly enjoy what you do day in and day out.

Believe it or not, it is possible. How?

Back to the article. It is possible by building a career portfolio. A what? Yes, a career portfolio. I know, “how do I do that?” I’m glad you asked. Here are three things you can do to begin building your career portfolio:

1. YOU diversify. You will be less dependent on the company or the economy for security with the more options you have. This can be done by number 2.

2. Knowing your “most profitable skills.” The more transferable your skills are, the better you can make yourself attractive to potential employers as well as your present employer. An important key is “knowing” what those skills are.

3. Staying current on the trends in the economy and in your field or industry. Knowledge is power - only if you use it. Putting this knowledge to use should allow you to make wise decisions as it relates to finding your ideal job or career.

Regardless of your current situation take action by making yourself recession-proof.

When you truly know what your strongest competencies (i.e. skills) are and you strengthen them so that you are the best at what you do, you become recession-proof.

Of course this isn’t the only action you can take to walk into your ideal job or career. If you aren’t there yet, here is a good place to start. DO NOT allow your state (or condition) to determine your fate!

When you take action and follow the above strategy you, too, will be able to create success today for tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

FEAR NOT! Despite Economic Woes

Smell that? It's fear. Fear of losing jobs. Fear of losing money. Fear of...(fill in the blank).

The media is doing a wonderful job painting a “ghoulish” picture of recent events. Regardless of what you read in the newspaper or watch on television, there are jobs out there. The questions to ask yourself are, “am I marketable enough to find a job/career that is available? or what am I willing to accept?”

If you are resting on your “outdated” skills and have not developed new skills, then you are taking yourself out of the competition for the jobs that do exist.

I attended a conference in Washington D.C. sponsored by the Council for Opportunities in Education. One of the sessions I attended was titled, “Preparing Our Students for a Global Economy.” Whether you are a student or not, the information was clear - employers are looking for individuals who possess a plethora of skills.

Being a personal development coach, the information was not surprising. Skills that were mentioned as valuable to competing in this global economy included:

  • Ability to communicate (written & verbal)
  • Being creative
  • Working as part of a team
  • Multi-tasking
  • Openness to new ideas/processes
This is, by no means, the complete list of skills “global” employers are looking for.
Yes, it is unfortunate that many people have lost their jobs; it is a shame that big businesses are folding; and even more jobs being outsourced overseas.

FEAR NOT!

If you are currently employed, seek any opportunity (on the job or not) that allows you to develop or enhance the skills you already possess; and if you are currently unemployed, look for professional development opportunities at 2-year colleges or local community centers.

The better prepared you are for “ghoulish” news the easier it is to walk into new territory.