Ten tips for recession proofing your career

According to the US Department of Labor, in December 2008, 37 states and Washington D.C. experienced an unemployment rate increase the previous month, and over the year 49 states saw jobless rate increases. With so many people losing their jobs throughout the country it is easy to feel that losing your job may be just around the corner. But there’s no reason to idly stand by while your job pushes you out the door. Rather, you can be proactive in trying to recession-proof your career so you can weather the storm.

“It’s very easy in this current economy to get caught up in the domino effect that is taking place,” explains Cher Murphy, president of Cher Murphy PR, a public relations firm with offices in Miami and Virginia. “But the truth of the matter is that what started with the banks doesn’t have to end with your career. There are more people working than not, we just have to start concentrating on the positive.”

Here are 10 helpful tips that can help you recession-proof your career:
1. Remain noticeably active on the job. Regardless of what type of field you work in it is important that you maintain an appearance that you are busy. If you look like you aren’t doing much it gives the idea that you are not needed. No matter what type of field you are in there is always something to do to keep busy. Avoid keeping busy however, by having personal chats with co-workers or surfing the Internet.

2. Document your contributions. Keep a file of everything that you do to help the company, no matter how small you may think it is. That information can be quite handy later if you have to defend your position by explaining your contribution to the company. Not only can this be beneficial at your current position, but it can also be useful later in updating your resume or explaining job functions in interviews.

3. Help make cuts. Many businesses need to make economic cuts right now. Offer a list of ideas that you think can help your company lower their bottom line. They will appreciate your input and the fact that you care to help with the issue. Even if you suggest such things as turning off all the computers at the end of the day, or minimizing the use of office supplies, they are all small changes that can amount to be savings. Other areas that you could suggest have cuts incorporated include employee expense account, switching to more cost-effective phone plans, reducing company travel-related expenses, and making changes from mailing out paper newsletters to having an online one.

4. Reduce your overhead. If you have your own small business, consider taking it home. If it’s a business that can be done out of the home, rather than from a rented space, you could save a great deal of money each month. Also, re-evaluate how you are getting your business name out to the public. Now is the time to use public relations in order to increase brand name recognition and sales. Small business owners can also re-evaluate their expenses to see what supply chain costs could be diverted, put on hold, or purchased through cheaper means. This is a time that you may also want to postpone any large expenses, such as buying new computers, office furniture, etc. unless it is absolutely necessary.

5. Don’t complain. The last thing your employer wants to hear is you whining about taking on additional tasks or having to be more flexible in order to help them stay afloat. Vent the complaints in the car as you head home, rather than to your employer. While you are at work look for ways to help pick up the slack from other employees that may have been let go. The more your duties your job includes, the more valuable you are to the company. You can also help boost company morale by helping to improve the attitude of your co-workers when you hear them complaining. Remind those around you that things could be worse.

6. Improve your skills. Right now is a great time to improve your skills. If there is a class, degree, convention, or some other skill-building tool you can get, you should do it. Not only will it make you that much more valuable at your current job, but it can help with future ones as well. Take a look at your current skills and see what needs improving. Then start making strides to get to where you would like to be. Consider such areas as learning new computer software, improving typing speed, and learning a second language. All of these newly acquired and improved upon skills will make you more valuable to any employer.

7. Network. While you may have heard it a million times before, it is true that networking can help you in your career. You never know who is going to be instrumental in helping you when you need it most. Those in your network may hear of a position open up that matches your skills or interest. Hearing it from them before it hits the classifieds increases your chances of getting a foot in the door. Many positions never even make it into a classified section. Rather, people find them through word of mouth. It’s also a good idea to try and not burn any bridges, which goes for both employers and networking partners.

8. Switch careers. Now is a good time to re-evaluate your current position. If you are not happy in the field you are working in, you may want to choose a new path, and go with one that is considered recession-proof. According to Kiplinger, those fields that are considered more recession-proof include health care, education (e.g., math, science, and bilingual education), security, environmental sciences, globalization, and government positions. While there is no quick route to a career change, making plans and taking steps to get there is better than doing nothing at all.

9. Polish resume. Be sure to keep your resume polished and updated, so that if you need it right away (or someone you network with would like to see it), you have it ready to hand over. The last thing you want is to be laid off and not have a resume. Not only will it be time-consuming to update it all at once, but it may be hard to remember key important facts and contributions you made over the years.

10. Stay optimistic. Attitudes are like colds — they are very contagious. Keeping an optimistic attitude will keep you in much better graces than if you bring others down. Especially when you are at work try to stay optimistic, rather than focusing on the negative or possibilities of what could happen. Rather than walking around saying you hope you don’t lose your job, focus on the fact that you have one. Make a goal to take a step each day to do something that helps make you more valuable to any employer.

“While there is no absolute way that can save someone’s job, there are things people can do to help avoid it,” adds Murphy. “If people lose their job after trying these suggestions at least they can feel they did what they could to try to save it. But they may just be surprised at how far these suggestions can take them.”
www.CherMurphyPR.com