ALT-1 How to Adapt your Career to a Tough Economy
In today’s constantly changing job market environment, it is important toreinvent one’s selfin order to stay relevant. The past economic recession just proved one thing – no job is safe in a tough economy.
The threat of being laid off from your job could be inevitable in some cases. Hence, it is essential to be prepared and ready for whatever worst case scenario may arise.
The following are fiveproven tips on how you can adapt your careerin a tough economy.
Tip 1: Learn a new skill – go back to school or enroll in several short courses.
A simple and effective way of staying relevant and even more attractive to employers during a tough economy is by learning a new skill. You can either go back to school or enroll in several short courses. Consider a second degree or an MBA program (if you’re a business major.)
Tip 2: Network aggressively – utilize the power of social media.
Another way ofadapting in a tough economyand preparing for the worst is by networking aggressively. Apart from attending in social parties, joining company-wide events and being extremely visible to your colleagues, coworkers and potential employers, you can also network offline through social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
You should develop relationships with important people both inside and outside your organization.
Tip 3: Show your flexibility to current and/or potential employers.
In this tough economy being a one-dimensional worker won’t do any good. Companies need people who know a little of everything. Being perceived as a jack-of-all-trades is a huge advantage. Flexibility isn’t just an “old and washed up” skill highlighted in a resume.
Flexibility needs to speak for itself. You must show your flexibility to current and/or potential employers.
Tip 4: Be an initiator – be assertive, offer more than what the company expects from you.
Initiators are genuine leaders which companies thirst for. Leaders are movers – they are the ones who can make a huge difference in a business organization. Hence, you should work and act assertively and with an initiative.
Seek for more challenging projects and volunteer in assignments that interest you. If you accomplish something worth broadcasting, then broadcast it.
Tip 5: Consider a recession-proof sideline or small side business.
You can also consider starting a recession-proof sideline or even a small side business. Needless to say, the Internet has opened numerous opportunities for smart, hard working and motivated individuals. A sideline or a side business, apart from being a genuine way of generating extra income, can serve as your safety net in the event of a job loss.
Some of the most common examples of online work opportunities include writing and proofreading jobs, bookkeeping, website design and programming and affiliate marketing among others.
