Tips for Recession-proofing a career
by: Darren Shartle
As our economy continues to slow, it’s natural to be concerned about lay-offs, downsizing and reorganizations. Taking small steps now to recession-proof your career can save weeks and months of time-wasting panic. If your job is secure, being prepared might be the motivation that pushes you to find the better job you’ve been wishing for. Small steps make a huge difference in your confidence level and can propel you to taking the next step. Here are some suggestions to help you begin:
Be aware of trends and changes in your industry. Begin to think about your job beyond the scope of duties. What have you accomplished for your company? Taking note of this will help you sell yourself in a resume and at an interview.
Be Prepared: Start recording your accomplishments – whether you are beginning a résumé or going for a performance review, you’ll have proof of why you are worthy for a promotion.
Learn a new skill: If you have been meaning to take a computer class to upgrade your skills – go ahead and sign up for one.
Take on additional responsibilities at work or do volunteer work that interests you. New ideas and activities can only help you no matter what the future holds.
Network. Expand or establish your network of professional and personal contacts. You might join a new group or organization, or simply become more outgoing with an existing network of friends and professional contacts.
Update your image: Go through your closet and decide what to keep, what to add, and what to get rid of. Looking great will boost your confidence for career changes or advances.
Update your resume. Resume styles and formats change. Make sure yours is current and effectively represents your strengths and accomplishments. Research current resume styles and start to add updates about your current position.
Use these simple steps to begin taking control of your career. A career search executed calmly and rationally is always more effective than one driven by stress and fear.
Darren Ann Shartle is the owner/president of Advanced CareerTools, a full-service résumé writing and career coaching organization. Ms. Shartle has more than 15 years of diverse experience in business and education and writes hundreds of resumes each year for executive clients in all industries. Her background includes business management, recruitment, teaching high school and college, freelance writing, and employment coaching. Ms. Shartle is a certified, professional résumé writer, a certified employment interview professional and hold a master’s degree in adult education. She has been published in JIST résumé books, and is a career expert providing career advice and articles on several job search web sites.
