Top 10 Tips to Recession-Proof Your Career

Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it." -Theodore Roosevelt

Now is the time to take on extra responsibilities on the job and move out of your comfort zone. Here are 10 tips to help you recession-proof your career:

1. Speak up at the next staff meeting. Make a positive contribution to the conversation and share your ideas. Don't wait until something happens and then say, "Gee, that was MY idea." How would anyone have known?

2. Schedule a review with your boss. Make them aware of your valuable contributions to the organization. It's not bragging if it's true AND your boss may not be aware of all you do. Track your achievements now. Go back into your emails and see how many customers praised your work. Create a "me file." Want more tips about this? Check out my article here: Revealing Your Personal Power in the Workplace.

3. Anticipate the needs of your coworkers -- and other departments. You might be in product development, but you just read a good marketing article that's on target for your company's goals. Send it to your colleague in marketing with a brief note, "Saw this and thought you might find it helpful. Thanks for the hard work on the launch of the X project!"

4. Build bridges to other departments. When I worked in the newspaper industry there was a disconnect between advertising, production, and editing (reporting). I created a bridge simply by asking questions and learning more about the other departments. Cross train if your company has a program.

5. Provide genuine compliments. "Nice shoes" is OK, but "Wanda, your help on the gizmo project was invaluable. The fact that you were able to land coverage in Wired magazine, WOW!" is better. Good compliments are specific -- and genuine.

6. Mentor the newbie. What tips can you provide that will help this person succeed in your organization? 

7. Take a class and build your skills. But then you won't have your MBA until you're 40 you say? Yes, but you'll still be 40... Why not have the degree?

8. Become a thought leader in your industry. Start a blog. Write a whitepaper. Speak at your next industry conference. 

9. Network inside and outside the company. Take an active role on employee improvement teams, volunteer groups, and professional organizations.

10. Shake things up. Think of at least one thing you can do right now that would save your department money, streamline operations or improve morale. And just do it! "But it's always been done like that" is old thinking. "How can I improve this" is new thinking. 

Bonus: Build your brand! Increase your visibility the right way to attract opportunities to you. Now more than ever, you've got to be noticed. (And I don't mean that picture of you dancing on the table on MySpace.) Google yourself now to see where you stand 

Posted by Wendy Terwelp

Comments

[Deb Dib]

Outstanding tips Wendy!

One more:

Volunteer for the tough jobs no one wants to do. If you consistently make magic happen in projects that are just not fun, or are not glamorous, or that people thought were doomed to failure, you become indispensable. Just make sure you get some internal PR so you are recognized for those successes.

[Wendy Terwelp]

Indeed Deb! You become THE go-to person for tough gigs. And you build solid networks inside the organization.

I worked with one client who did just this. He took on extra jobs that often had him working later hours. Guess what? The company VP was working late hours too. They connected and my client ended up getting promoted. Another of my clients just got her SECOND raise and promotion this year. Yes, I did say SECOND and "this year" in the same sentence. She took on communications issues no one else wanted, traveled nationwide to consult with prospects, and became indispensable.

[Resume to Referral, Resume and Career Services]

Number 4, I think, is extremely important whether you are a regular employee, an independent contractor or freelance. Having the ability to wear many different hats makes you more of an asset to any given company and as an independent contractor or freelancer this makes you more marketable. There's nothing worse than an employee who says, "that's not my job" or "I don't know how to do that, ask so and so." This passing the buck can be career suicide in many cases and it says quite a bit about the employee and his or her work ethic. Building bridges and cross training is probably some of the best advice I have seen in a long time. Hopefully your readers will take it to heart and step up their game – especially if they want to recession-proof their jobs or careers!

Resume to Referral
Resume and Career Services
http://www.resumebycprw.com

[Wendy Terwelp]

Thanks for the kind words Teena!

When I was a manager (previous life) "that's not my job" was removed from my team's vocabulary. Glad you agree.

[Resume Service]

Number seven “take a class and build your skills” is easy to overlook, especially if you're comfortably settled into a routine at work. Not only will taking a class or even furthering your education make you a bigger asset to your company, it can also lead to personal growth and it will definitely shake things up in every area of your life, not just work. It's best not to put off going back to school year after year. It's true. The years will come and go anyway so "why not have the degree?" If you think your schedule is too tight, you can always take classes online and you can even earn your degree online. It takes more discipline to earn a degree this way, but it is one of the mot convenient ways to complete a degree for individuals with tight schedules and major responsibilities. If you’re interested in learning more about the best online colleges, visit http://www.bestcollegesonline.com. It’s a good starting point.

Resume to Referral
Resume and Career Services
http://www.resumebycprw.com

[Resume Service]

I agree with the bonus tip in number 10. Building your brand is definitely important as well. Linkedin.com is a good place to showcase your professional skills as well as stay in touch with present and past co-workers. It's easy to set up a profile and it's free! http://www.linkedin.com

Resume to Referral
Resume and Career Services
http://www.resumebycprw.com

[CompareHRIS.com]

There is never any such thing as recession proof when you work for someone else. If you want to be recession proof, start your own busienss and live below your means.

After owning a HRIS software consulting business for ten years, I started a internet business, CompareHRIS.com last year. We are now seeing 25-50% increases in revenue per quarter and the new business is going well enough that I have sold my prior consulting company.

This site and others like it pitch the doom and gloom of today's economy. I will tell you there are opportunities in every economy.

[Laura Paris]

totally agree with your points
i’d actually add – look for other opportunities at the same time (a bit different from launching new biz.)

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