There is no doubt that the economy has affected the industry. Jobs have been lost, careers changed and the financial status of many has been severely affected. The one good thing I have learned from the “Recession 101 Class” is that recessions test us, but are never final; recessions really do end.
If we had better monitoring and control over our economic/financial condition, we might not be in the precarious situation of the past several months. What have we learned from this? Could this ever happen again? If it did, what action would I take to ameliorate the consequences? These questions are very real and not only reflect the economy, but each of our careers. Most importantly, the answers to these questions are those that every individual should have readily available.
One can easily become a victim of the recession via layoffs and although we cannot always avoid them, there are steps we can take to minimize our job risk. The time to avert career set backs is well before they happen. Do you have a well-planned primary career objective with goals, time-lines, as well as a backup plan given the primary plan isn’t achieved? The individuals most likely to be successful in achieving the goals and objectives are those with clearly defined career objectives who don’t wait for success to come to them. They are not reactive; they are proactive. A career plan is not just for the unemployed; it is just as important for those individuals currently employed.
If you’re fortunate enough to be employed, have you evaluated your employer’s plan and status? So many people are surprised when they are told the ‘company is in trouble’ and their job is tenuous. A regularly scheduled assessment of the company’s status and evaluation of your relationship to it is highly recommended. Ask questions of your employer and decide if the answers are those that indicate a mutual compatibility and probability of continued success. The assessment should include research on the company’s financial condition, the market for the product/services produced, and whether or not your role within the company meets yours and your employer’s needs.
Recessions require that employers evaluate who is an asset. Contributors whose work benefits the company will stay. Included in the evaluation is whether the contributor’s personality continues to ‘fit’ the company’s specific culture. While working on your plan ask yourself whether you are truly an asset. Be honest with yourself. Does the effectiveness of your individual personality, work habits, etc., ‘fit in’ with that of your employer? Your plan and answers to these questions can help you avert negative consequences.
Last, but not least, recessions are a test not an end!
Benson D. Evans, PhD
Managing Director
www.rfjobstoday.com
