For every professional out there who is unemployed or under-employed, the recession is about to create a great opportunity for you to focus your skills and leverage your strengths. The chance to negotiate for more pay and better jobs will be increased too. You'll have a chance to make up for the income you may have lost in the last five years. However, don't lose yourself in the process! Be mindful and strategic with each career move. Here are some tips:
1) Figure which of your skills is the biggest aspirin to an employers pain.
Companies hire new employees to solve problems. There's a reason that position is open. Find out the importance of the job to the company's bottom line and show them you understand the value the right candidate needs to bring to the role. The more you can show you will fully alleviate their pain (and then some!), the more attractive you are.
2) Make sure you understand the impact each job change has on your life.
Some of the jobs you'll encounter will offer you a lot of hazard pay to do tough things. If you are up for the challenge, go for it. But, know that you won't be able to do those emotionally and physically challenging jobs long-term. It's just too hard on the other areas of your life. Be strategic in which roles you take and why. The money isn't the only factor to consider!
3) Bank some serious cash.
When my salary started going up fast, my spending didn't go up with it. My husband and I banked a lot of cash and used it later to support us when I walked away to start over in my career.
4) Make a lot of career friends along the way.
Networking with past and present colleagues gets even more important now. Create a strong professional reputation for yourself. Don't burn any bridges. When you quit, do it right. Had I not built up a strong network and stayed in good standing with them during those years, I wouldn't have been able to tap into them later when I was launching a new career and business. My very first consulting gig was with a former employer!
5) Work for companies with a great story, brand, and reputation.
When you work for companies that tell great stories about themselves and have compelling missions, you'll find they attract a better level of talent. These are the kinds of peers you want to work with now - smart, savvy professionals who you can also see yourself working with again in the future (see #4). Plus, companies with good reputations and exciting stories make it easy for you to market yourself to other employers in the future.
6) Know when to move on. (Hint: Do it while you're still top of your game).
The moment you get complacent or start to lose your edge, you need to find your next move, either internally or externally. If your job satisfaction is declining, you can't let that linger just because you are making good money. You need to identify that next project, skill, accomplishment or career move you need to take so you can stay engaged and satisfied. It's how you stay relevant and valuable to employers. Most importantly, it's how to stay happy in your career and life. A great example of this is my colleague, Michael Peggs, who recently quit working at Google with a video. See the video here - you will love it!
If you made it to the bottom of this post, here's some good news!
Not everyone has the patience or desire to figure out how to profit professionally from the coming hiring boom. That's your competitive advantage. Don't lose momentum! Keep seeking information and resources to help you. While it's not rocket science, it's not child's play either. The more you know, the more strategic you can be. Good luck and I wish you the best!
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