Experiencing career transitions in a recession.
Many professionals are currently experiencing career transitions in the current economy, many can use this opportunity to not only conduct a self-assessment of their motivation and skills, but increase their chances for success by seeking new opportunities where they exist. Employersjobs.com are offering a host of recession busting career tips for the disconcerted employee either anticipating a lay off or experiencing career transition blues.
As the economy continues to remain in a state of flux without showing any signs of stable upward momentum many experts are advising job seekers to take stock of their career assets and plan for a 2009/2010 in which governments will hopefully be providing increasing employment opportunities through jobs, contracts, grants, and loans.
Those seeking new career opportunities due to loss of employment should not only put the grief cycle behind them as quickly as possible, they should re-examine their motivation and skills set, filter possible career paths, and distinguish themselves using a well-articulated branding strategy. every worker should have a career contingency plan even if they are already employed owing to a highly unpredictable job climate worldwide.
There are two clearly defined scenarios and it is best that employees plan for both due to the rising tide of uncertainty. The first is an environment in which you are employed but continue to remain on shaky ground. It is a good idea to evaluate whether you are perceived as a “superstar” in your current job because that gives you the best chance of being redundancy proof.
Having the motivation to become a superstar and implementing an on-the-job personal branding strategy will go a long way in improving your odds of job retention. You should expertly leverage the opportunity to acquire as many job skills as possible while remaining employed with your company. IT skills and business skills are best acquired when you are employed because your existing employer provides you with a context in which to hone these skills and become indispensable to the organisation.
You want to be proactive; you want to have control of your career. Now is the time to assess your priorities, what you want out of your life, and what you value. Although the best time to seek a career transition is when you are gainfully employed, that is not always possible. The second scenario is the actual loss of your job. If you can retain your job, that’s the best. But if, for some reason, you are laid off or declared redundant, this is the time when you can reflect back on your values, your life’s purpose and create a strong brand for yourself. Making a career transition after being laid off can be especially challenging. However, in the event that you are let go, there are a number of strategies you can adopt.
You want as quickly as possible to go through the grief process or the mourning period which every one goes through when they lose their jobs, the anger, the fear and the resentment, then do the positive things, get a positive focus and get back into the exploration of the next step into your career. For any professional who is already in the grips of a career vacuum and is considering making a transition now is the time to strike - get out there and apply to as many jobs as possible. Join Employersjobs.com as one of our prime jobseekers and begin surfing opportunities today!
