5 TIPS TO RECESSION PROOF YOUR CAREER
“Feed your goals, not your fears. Be proactive instead of reactive.” (Forbes.com)
Nothing in life is guaranteed, but if you put in a little time and effort, you might be able to position yourself ahead of your peers when it comes to coping with the next wave of volatility.
INVEST IN YOURSELF
Keep your skills as current as possible. Take advantage of any opportunity to take continuing education, get the most pertinent certifications, etc. Invest in your skillset just like your retirement. Knowing your value is a powerful tool in navigating a job search, and diversifying your technical skills, or working on your soft skills, can increase your professional value. Regarding investments, it’s helpful to keep a financial cushion in savings so that you could withstand an extended (3-6 month) period of unemployment between jobs.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Stay on top of market changes, company financial news, or industry trends that might impact your company or skillset. This knowledge could help you recognize triggers that could lead to personnel changes, and position you ahead of your peers in making decisions about your career, sooner rather than later. Also, companies that are leveraged across multiple markets (sells their products into lots of different industries) could provide more stability than one that is hyper-focused.
FIND A MENTOR
Mentors can help grow your skills and gain new perspectives on your career. What is your mentor doing differently in their career that makes them successful? Is there anything you can learn from them that would be helpful for your career?
NETWORK AND BUILD CONNECTIONS
Develop your professional network. Focus on building strong connections with the right people and communicate your expertise in a way that makes them think of you first when new opportunities come along. Associations, industry groups, LinkedIn connections, etc. can all be helpful in finding a mentor, learning new skills, or landing your ideal job.
UPDATE YOUR RESUME QUARTERLY
It takes a few minutes and ensures you don’t forget to include the important details of major projects and achievements. Don’t forget about your LinkedIn profile! Make sure your skills are highlighted on your professional profiles like your resume.
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