Recession-Proof Your Career with Proactive Career Management

"Recession-proof your career" is an often-discussed topic these days with an array of experts promoting their theories and best options. In December 2007 Robert Scoble's article Surviving the 2008 Recession attracted notice as the "R" word started to be bandied about. More recently, Anne Zelenka of Web Worker Daily contributed 5 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Career and Penelope Trunk opined with Maybe there will be a recession. Here's what to do just in case.

These articles provide useful recommendations - pay them heed. Recommendations like building and growing your online persona (personal branding) as well as your social network have become "must-do" strategies to attract the job opportunities you want, regardless of economic downturns.

To further expand the scope of your "recession-proofing" activities, consider this: certain career fields and industries are going to be easier to recession-proof than others because they are already in-demand.

For careers (occupations), the US News and World Report lists 31 best occupations in Best Careers 2008, while Career Voyages lists The Top 50 In-Demand Occupations. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) keeps track of occupations with the largest job growth (2006-16).

Industries contain many types of occupations or career fields, and can also be explored for "best bets" to recession-proof. For example, HR World magazine online cites the Top 25 Careers to pursue in a recession (these really are industries and not careers). The BLS monitors industries with the largest wage and salary employment growth and declines (2006-16).

Keep in mind that many of these careers (occupations) and industries can be expressed in entrepreneurial endeavors, such as small businesses. At the very least, taking an entrepreneurial approach to your career development is now absolutely your number-one business if you intend to recession-proof your career.

Check out Thom Singer's article 66 Tips for Better Networking - #60: Unlock Your Inner Entrepreneur. Thom points out that the definition of an entrepreneur is "a person who organizes and manages any enterprise..." which pertains to anyone's career. In other words, you are in charge - the CEO - of You, Inc. Therefore, you must be proactive about determining your career pathway.

You may choose to start with building your skills or your network in your current job, or perhaps transition to another career field or industry. If you are considering a career / industry change, here is a 3-step plan:

1. take personal initiative to explore careers and industries of interest,
2. determine which ones may be best suited to you and your current situation (this may require the assistance of a career counselor/career coach), and
3. decide which option to pursue and then commit to act on that decision.

Whether you are staying in your current job or want to make a transiton, the key to recession-proofing your career is wise (informed) choices combined with relevant, goal-oriented action. Putting your career on "cruise-control" by not paying attention to it or relegating it to the control of others puts you in a supremely vulnerable position. Take ownership of your own career development and forge a pathway to success, despite the ups and downs of the economy and the ever-changing world of work.

Cross-Posted at Career Goddess Blog

Comments

[HRagitator]

While "recession proofing" sounds like a good concept, and in theory, I agree with it, let's be careful not to send the wrong message. The best thing you can do to recession proof yourself is work hard, earn a good reputation, and expand your skills and abilities on the job.

The more valuable you become to your company, the less likely you will be laid off. Sometimes good employees get laid off, though. If this happens, you should have built a good foundation of work.

It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you spend your time recession proofing yourself, don't be surprised when you get hit by the recession.