Don’t let the prevailing depressed atmosphere get you down—in fact, keep it at bay and keep moving forward. It is a down time, but make the best of it.
How in the world can one do that? Well, it’s not easy. Competition for jobs is fierce, to put it mildly. One is responsible more than ever for making sure that skills are at an optimum and that you are the best you can be within whatever profession you work in.
When my clients go in for interviews, I always tell them to be sure to ask where they stand in the line-up of candidates. Literally, it is necessary to kill off the competition by proving that you are the best in what you do. What distinguishes you from the competition? What unique skills do you bring that will positively impact the company’s bottom line. This, by the way, becomes even more important for maintaining career growth even if you currently have a job.
Look carefully at new ways of marketing yourself, and selling your unique qualifications. This isn’t a time to sit back and wait for a recruiter to call, for instance. Let them know who you are, and what you are looking for. You are literally in a marketing stance all the time.
It’s great to be in a recruiter’s database, but it’s even better when you convince a recruiter that you can make them look very good by being the number one candidate of choice. Stay close to these people. Their on-going relationships with clients can benefit you greatly. Find a few that you really feel comfortable with, and cultivate these friendships.
Think of every way possible to create demand for your services and knowledge. Be sure to stay close to business networking events, programs, and Internet networking. Knowledge and information is power and can open doors for you.
Continuous learning is so important. One has to stay abreast of everything happening in their world of work. Things simply aren’t the same now, so new ways of thinking and staying on top of change are vital for success. In job interviews, you are expected to be aware of what might be happening next in your area of expertise. This kind of knowledge says to the perspective employer that you are able to move with the speed of change.
Watch the business news. Be aware of trends and know what the current growth industries are. This is where you will find new and interesting opportunities. The chances for advancement will be here.
Don’t fall into the trap of answering any old ad. Be sure your background and credentials match those demanded by a potential client. Be ready to defend your knowledge and expertise, and know constructive ways your experience will make a substantial contribution to the company’s profit.
Be creative and constructive. Recently I heard of a group of young people, all recent college graduates, and all out of work, who decided on a unique approach. They established themselves as a group, and advertised their diverse skills both on the Internet and locally. It was, in many ways, an overnight company—no benefits, no bosses, no infrastructure to speak of. This is simply a group of pooled skills, ready to serve. It’s working—better in some areas than others—but giving everyone a sense of purpose and determination to move ahead in the world of work.
There is a huge increase in numbers of people who are working on their own, as freelancers and contractors. For many, they are discovering great delight in independence and entrepreneurial activities. Things first done out of necessity can become life-long passions.
The times we are in are demanding creativity like never before. There are so many different challenges in developing and managing a career now. Just today, a long-time professional acquaintance spoke about avoiding falling into all the conventional despair that seems to be around now. Yes, all is daunting, but remember this: there ARE good jobs out there at this moment in emerging and growth industries. It has also been true in our history that seemingly hard times have created great opportunity.
Create your own opportunity, and keep growing and changing—making the world a better place. We have job reports daily in our world now. Concentrate on what your own career report might be. Be the best you can within whatever you do.
It is said that we now have a new freedom to work in this country, particularly the freedom to work longer. We will definitely have more than one career path in a lifetime. Make each step your very best. Make your contribution outstanding. Stay optimistic and hopeful. The only certainty is—change.
