|
Build
Your Life Raft Ahead of Time
You thought you
were set for life! A hefty bonus plan,
lucrative stock options, supportive
boss, solid reputation, and recognition
by senior management as being on the
fast track. Then, the unthinkable
happened. A hostile takeover made
your job redundant. You're too young
to retire, too old to live as a hippie,
and too comfortable in the lifestyle
that you carved out for yourself.
You're not sure
what to do. The one thing you've learned,
however, is that in these turbulent
times of mergers, acquisitions, and
an uncertain business climate, there
is no such thing as job security.
Meet Jim, a 45-year-old account executive
who watched as layoffs thinned the
ranks of the company where he worked
for the past 14 years. Not only was
the economic downturn of 2001-2002
taking a toll, but also the company
decided to relocate much of its sales
and sales support operations from
Chicago , where Jim worked, to another
city. Needless to say, Jim was thrilled
to get another job inside the company
that allowed him to stay in Chicago
and advance his career.
A year later,
however, Jim was told his new job
was being relocated. With six months'
advance notice, Jim began to network
to find his next opportunity. He felt
optimistic when a large financial
services company invited him in for
an initial interview. He truly believed
that it was only a matter of time
before he secured another position.
Then one day Jim
read a news headline that changed
his employment prospects: The financial
services firm that he believed would
be his next employer was being bought
out by a larger financial conglomerate.
Jim was back to square one in his
search for a new job.
As Jim's story illustrates, nagging
uncertainty persists in today's job
market, despite the improvement in
today's economy. The only way to navigate
in these difficult conditions is to
build your life raft ahead of time
-- long before the ship you're in
heads for the rocky shore of uncertainty.
Once you have built your life raft,
it will become a permanent fixture
of your professional life, ensuring
that it's always there - just in case
you need it.
Dispelling
the Job Security Myth
You must be realistic
today. To do what you must to survive,
you need to shed the traditional concept
of job security. Eliminate your entitlement
attitude -- the belief that "if
I do what's expected of me, I'll have
a job tomorrow." Even longtime
employees must drop the notion that
"if I work long hours and do
my job, I'm entitled to advancement."
All too often people look for security
outside of themselves, and in particular
expect that their employer will "take
care of them." The truth, however,
is that in both economic good times
and in bad, you are your own best
asset.
- Longevity is
not valued in today's job market.
Just because you've "been there"
for years is no guarantee that you'll
be employed tomorrow.
- You cannot
look to your employer or your long-term
clients for security. Your true
security comes from the knowledge
of the value you bring to your company
and your clients.
- If you believe
that others control your destiny,
you will be limited in your opportunities
and the scope of your career. Recognizing
your talents, expertise and leadership
enables you to market yourself continually.
As you become
more self-reliant, you will acknowledge
the value you bring to the marketplace
and your ability to make a difference.
You'll recognize and accept the need
to self-promote, to continually showcase
your talents, abilities, expertise
and leadership within your company
and/or professional circle - whether
you have a job or you are looking
for the next opportunity.
How to
Build Your Life Raft
Building your life raft is not about
a quick-rich scheme. It's about being
strategic for the rest of your life
to improve your marketability.
- Look at your
career change as an opportunity.
- Get a support
system. Everyone needs coaches and/or
transition counselors to help.
- Invest in career-counseling
and networking books to give yourself
as much information and insight
as possible.
- Build a reputation
for making things happen.
- Hone your interpersonal
skills to fit in and stand out simultaneously.
- Become a master
at networking to find your next
opportunities and as an ongoing
strategy for your career.
- Don't wait
for your annual review to see if
the ship you're on is sinking.
To improve your
self-marketing, you must identify
and examine the value-added services
you bring to your company, your clients.
Thinking and acting like an entrepreneur,
you must constantly market yourself
and your expertise.
- Identify your
"intellectual property"
of ideas, talents and expertise.
- Brand yourself
as a true professional.
- Become fluent
in non-verbal communication.
- Enhance your
oral and written communication skills.
- Be sensitive
to gender issues in the way you
communicate, act in business, and
relate to others.
- Master business
protocol savvy, being comfortable
in business-social situations and
conversing with peers and professionals
who outrank you.
As a result, you
will become empowered to take charge
of your life and your career. With
a fuller knowledge of who you are,
your strengths and talents, you will
understand and appreciate what you
bring to the table.
Where Do I Begin?
If you are embarking on the journey
to find your next career opportunity,
first you have to identify your launching
point. Take a step back from your
current situation, assess where you
are and identify changes that you
need to make. Look inward, acknowledging
that there are no shortcuts to success.
- Look at your
current situation as an invitation
to explore the next phase of your
career.
- Build a personal
circle. Surround yourself with professionals
who can help you. Start making phone
calls and invite people out to breakfast,
lunch, etc.
- Itemize all
your past successes that demonstrate
your talents. This will enable you
to speak about your contributions
without discomfort.
- As you network
with others, seek input about opportunities
in their industries or companies.
Find out where and how you might
be able to make a contribution with
your knowledge, experience and expertise.
- Design a 30-second
commercial that explains specifically
what you bring to the table. Tell
people why they need to hire you
rather than wait for the invitation.
Include information that tells people
who you are as a person.
- Polish your
packaging, making sure your appearance,
the way you speak and act, and your
business etiquette are impeccable.
How Can You
Remain Employable?
If you have a
job, you can't rest on your laurels
or the strength of last year's appraisal.
You must continually market yourself
inside your organization so that others
will recognize the contribution that
you make. This is not about "tooting
your own horn" or trying to "get
all the credit" for a project,
but rather about adopting an entrepreneur's
attitude toward what you do and the
value you bring to your clients (in
this case your employer). Go the extra
mile to showcase your talent and expertise.
Be proactive in how you can influence
how others see you positively
- Understand
the goals and objectives that are
expected of you. Deliver more than
is asked for. Set goals to challenge
yourself which will also contribute
to the company's performance.
- Look for opportunities
to be seen and heard. Contribute
to meetings and group projects.
- Establish a
reputation as an expert. Extend
your help, advice and your expertise
to others. Be the "go to"
person for information or insight
into how things can be accomplished.
- Make your boss
look good. Maintain a pleasant relationship
regardless of your personal feelings.
You're more likely to get ahead
if you have the support of your
boss. Don't take this vital connection
for granted.
- Manage up.
Never assume that your support system
is guaranteed. Understand that the
players may change. That means making
sure colleagues and managers on
the level above you know who you
are and the contribution that you
make.
- Promote other
people's talents. If you champion
others you will increase your value
as a team player and as a true leader.
- Push yourself
to become more outgoing. Hang out
at your cafeteria, health club,
etc. Look beyond your structured
circle internally to other departments.
Become familiar with what they do
by paying a visit and asking questions.
Introduce yourself and area of expertise
so that you will be seen as a teamplayer.
If they need your help or expertise,
offer it freely .
- Nurture relationships
with others who have been successful.
What can you learn about the way
they think, speak and act?
- Educate yourself.
Go to seminars. Read books, journals
and professional periodicals. Attend
courses. Make a conscious investment
in yourself and your reputation,
not only for today but for the future.
- Volunteer for
a company project or a company-sponsored
charity event. Let others get to
know you in a different context.
Showcase your ability to organize
and take responsibility.
Launching Your
Life Raft
As you take positive
steps to promote your talent and expertise,
you'll make more meaningful connections
within your professional circle. This
will put you in touch with others
who will champion you, and with those
whom you can champion. This is the
essence of launching your life raft,
making the commitment to your career
and investing the time and effort
to chart your own course. You're the
captain of your own ship and in command
of your destiny - but remember the
power of a strong network that ensures
you're not sailing alone. |