A candidate called in a panic needing job search help because his employer had suddenly decided to eliminate his job after 16 years of great performance there. This person sadly learned that there is no job security anymore. No one is immune. Layoffs continually happen with automating now being a factor in replacing people. Seniority is no longer the yardstick when employers are cutting back. This insecure environment makes many employees feel powerless over their long-term future security, and pessimistic concerning their career.
The average worker will change jobs about every 4 years, or put differently have about 10-12 job changes over their working lifetime. Whether you seek to just keep your job, aspire for a promotion, or want a new position, begin today to prepare to safeguard your future.
Practicing these five steps will help you control your future and remain in the driver’s seat of your career and livelihood.
1. Keep progress reports of your accomplishments and update your resume every six months or so. Keep track of new duties, cost saving measures, and projects you have completed. Especially note any specific results. Make a list each month to include any new professional accomplishments in your work, service organization, associations or community service. Your records should also include new training acquired. Update your resume to reflect these accomplishments so that when a good career opportunity comes along you’ll be ready to go after it quickly. Also keep copies of emails and letters of praise for jobs and projects well done. Good performance evaluations can also be used to attest to your abilities and attributes – be sure you have a copy of these at home.
2. Choose visible projects. Getting noticed sometimes means volunteering for a committee or dreaming up new projects. Ideas you might implement could include: new office procedures that streamline paper flow, hiring new staff, conducting presentations or training sessions, working on a special projects with upper level executives and other departments. Seek out projects that will be recognized as valuable to management as well as attractive to competitive employers. Remember many accomplishments derived from new projects are a result of your suggesting the idea to your boss or company initially.
3. Develop your list of skills and acquire new ones. Do not be appear complacent. Employers look for people who are flexible, constantly learning who produce results. List all your present skills and abilities acquired through work, associations, and community service. Target two new skills to obtain in the next year either through reading books, manuals, taking classes or just some extra on-the-job training. Employers value computer skills, communication skills (both verbal and written), team building ability, leadership and technical expertise. Select one or two skills that will add to job mastery and work to perfect them in the upcoming year.
4. Develop your network. Promotions can come from networking well inside your company. And it’s also nice to know that using contacts are how two-thirds of all people find their jobs. Continuously develop your professional contacts. Keep track of old bosses and coworkers when they move to new companies through your LinkedIn account. Start collecting business cards at meetings, association events, and conferences– anywhere you meet others. When you decide to move up or on, your network is the most powerful asset you have to accomplish that goal.
5. Keep an eye on the job market. Great jobs are often heard of by word of mouth (80% are never formally advertised). You must be able to respond and apply quickly. Once or twice a month checkout the jobs listing on your professional association website and LinkedIn. A new job often brings a much higher salary if you negotiate strategically so be open to applying for new opportunities as they arise.
This may be the hardest. Map out a plan of what you want for your career at this stage of your life and outline the steps you need to make yourself a highly desirable employee – the perfect way to safeguard your future forever.
inspired by Robin Ryan, Career Counselor
