Are You Recession Proof (Part 2)

In my last “blog” (15/01/09), I talked about Recession-Proofing your job/your Career. I mentioned that one of the best ways to increase your work/career security is to have an Action Plan, including a resume.

Other “Recession-Proof” ideas: Are you indispensible at work? Could they function without you? If so, you could be the first to go. It is crucial that you take the time to assess your attitude, your demeanor and your habits at work to make sure you are a valued employee. It is equally important to develop the skills you need to be more valued and to be more versatile. How do you develop a positive attitude, one that will give the employer the confidence that you are a great asset to their organization? (Remember, if you are having problems with others at work it is rarely “everybody else” who is the problem). By doing an independent evaluation (I have tests and assessments that you could take to see how you perceive yourself and how others might see you as a team player…or not…) you can get a good picture of how you fit in with others, how you deal with conflict and whether your skills, strengths and personality match your employer’s needs. Get feedback from your co-workers and others you trust to see how you can have a greater impact at work. Remember, “Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning”. (Proverbs). Showing Wisdom will definitely make you a valued employee.

You CAN be in control of your future. The easiest, fastest and least expensive way is to know what you want and have a resume ready at all times. Whether it is a professional resume or an inexpensive yet comprehensive entry-level resume, you WILL benefit.

Is your Job Recession-Proof?

It IS possible to have success in spite of what is going on around us in today’s economy.

Yes, there are layoffs, closures and uncertainties all across the country. To date, Saskatchewan was one of the few parts of North America that had been minimally affected by the negative downturn in our economy. Suddenly the potash industry is feeling the impact, where 1,000 workers will be losing their jobs. Does that mean a demise of our province as well? I don’t think so. The Conference Board of Canada (CBofC, suggests that “Canadian consumer and business confidence has plummeted, which usually is a precursor to a decline in national output. What can be done to stimulate our economy, mitigate the impact of recession and boost confidence?” The CBofC believes the government and the media play great part in all of this. They believe the government needs to have credit available and that “The concern of a recession actually feeds the recession because confidence decreases, which just exacerbates the situation.”, which is what the media perpetuates. In an interview with Catherine Swift, president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (posted on canoe.ca), Ms Swift agrees “intense media coverage of the weakening economy is making some consumers needlessly nervous.” And of course, the 24-hour news channels are the greatest source of this “Chicken Little” philosophy.
How do you “Recession-Proof your job, your career?” Simple – HAVE A PLAN. Pack an EMERGENCY PARACHUTE. What would you do if you lost your job right now? Do you have a Plan A, B, C….do you have a resume ready to go? Start evaluating your job, your career, your vocation. Are you where you really want to be? Are you relying on a business or an employer to provide you with what you need or, can you depend on yourself by being independent, a consultant, self-employed, an entrepreneur? Is there a product or service you believe is needed that you could provide? Many new careers have been developed out of necessity and in hard times.
We are conducting a survey and would like to know what YOU would need to “Recession proof” your career. Click here to complete the survey. We want to know what people think about their employment future.

Thanks,
Gilles L’Heureux, Career Coach
www.careercoachnow.ca

Giving Thanks for 2008

It occurred to me on December 31st that Thanksgiving isn’t the only time to give thanks for what we have, what we have done, who we are, for those around us and for all the blessings that we have been given or successes we have accomplished throughout the year. As we prepare for the New Year, we need to understand those successes. If we don’t have a lot to be thankful for, then it’s time to realize that and plan to do something different in the New Year in order to have different outcomes. Be thankful for your successes, list them, recognize what you did to achieve them and put plans in place to increase the chance of having similar successes in 2009.
Are you saying: “Thank God this year is over”? Okay, recognize what went wrong; identify those things over which you had no control and decide on how you can react to them positively. Then, list those things over which you did have control and set up an Action Plan. (Read more about this in Coach’s Corner).
The tragedy of 2008 is not the recession or the loss of jobs. The greatest tragedy is that we miss out on opportunities that are available and that we are capable of doing. We believe we are stuck or destined to be where we are, that we have no control, no choices. The opportunity for career enjoyment and having great income, for accomplishing all types of goals, a great family and for a great life is available to everyone. Don’t become a victim to thinking that you have no control of these areas. You CAN be in control
New Year's resolutions have been a common practice for quite a long time but many fail to accomplish their resolutions because of a lack of focus, commitment, or planning. Without solid recorded plans and regular reviews, resolutions are often just forgotten after just a few weeks. Resolutions and goals have a much better chance of being successful with the proper action-based planning and a commitment to stay after them. As your personal Career Coach I can give you some powerful tools that will help you define, plan, organize, track, and stay after your goals year round, especially as it relates to your career.
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce
You already have every characteristic necessary for success if you recognize, claim, develop and use them. Zig Ziglar

Gilles L'Heureux, Career Coach
http://www.careercoachnow.ca/