Recession Proof your Career

With all the news every time you switch on the television or open a newspaper, of the credit crunch, rising energy bills and fear of recession, the very last thing that you want to be worrying about is whether your job is on the next redundancy list. Most organisations are preparing for a slow down in the economy by analysing ways to diversify products and services, and keep costs down. Hopefully this won't mean downsizing for your organisation, but this might just be the time for you to ensure that you are in a strong position to weather any potential storms along the way.

If your company is assessing its position, then this might be a sign that you need to plan for the future. Here are some tried and tested techniques to recession proof your career:

Build up your financial reserves

It is always wise to have a fund of at least 6 months salary in a savings account. Even if you are offered a redundancy package it may take some time, particularly if you are in a senior position to find another job. During economic slow downs organisations will be less willing to take on new permanent staff and you may also be facing competition from others in a similar position. You don't want to be forced to take the first job that is offered as you may end up finding it is not a good fit and you are back in the job market. If you need advice in getting control of your financial affairs Simonne Gnessen from Wise Monkey Financial Coaching Services can help you put together a plan. Learn more

Add Value

Even though times are tough organisations will do their best to hold on to employees who demonstrably add value to the bottom line. No matter what job you have in the organisation you can show how important you are to your company's success, whether this is through your ability to manage projects within time and budget, retain existing clients, or manage cost savings. Make sure that in any reviews with your manager that you promote your achievements and that you can clearly evidence what you have done. Although this approach offers no guarantees, your manager, who also might be worried about the future, will be glad of your efforts and will be sure to provide you with a good reference.

Build your network

Having an extensive and supportive network is always a good idea. Attending regular professional meetings and keeping in touch with colleagues in other organisations may help you if you need ideas and introductions to other opportunities.

Self Care

People take a view on others in the first few seconds of meeting, so it pays to carefully manage your own image if you want to get noticed. It is sometimes easy to slip into a comfort zone at work particularly if the dress code is casual. Looking healthy and well cared for is an important part of any job you may do, whether this is trendy outfits for advertising and media, or more formal suits for city jobs. Try to avoid feeling and looking stressed out by exercising, eating well and getting enough sleep.

Losing your job can be an emotional experience even if you hated your work in the first place. The uncertainty and fear of the future are natural responses but expect to feel hopeful, and possibly excited, about the countless opportunities that exist.

If you would like help with recession proofing your career please contact CareerInsights at
info@careerinsights.co.uk

See our website at: www.careerinsights.co.uk