How to Recession Proof Your Career
Preparing for Professional Challenges During Economic Downturns
Nov 12, 2008
Tough and turbulent economic times are a great opportunity for a reassessment of career strategies. Taking an active role in creating job security will lessen anxieties and maintain a positive attitude.
Get Certified
This is the time to take that accredited certification program that you’ve been meaning to take that you know will give you an upper hand for a promotion or to simply provide more job security if fellow employees lack the training. Be sure that the certification or training will improve your employability. For example, if you want to work on your public speaking ability but public speaking is not part of your current role or of a role that you could be promoted to, then this training will not increase your employability.
Check with your manager or HR representative to see what training would be recognized and if there is funding available. You may find that professional development funding has been reduced in these tough times but if there is demand for employees with this type of certification or there is a quota for trained personnel on a shift (e.g. first aid), money can be found in a tight budget. Obtaining or completing a degree may be your best option but there are many short term training options to consider as well.
Some possible areas of short term training include:
- first aid: basic, occupational etc.
- safety: WHMIS, Transport of Dangerous Goods, rigging, rescue etc.
- languages: advanced training in French, Spanish, Mandarin, etc.
- teaching or training: teaching certificate, instructor’s diploma, special needs, etc.
- customer service: SuperHost, Serving it Right, etc.
- technical: Microsoft, CISCO, SAP, CAD, etc.
- professional designations and accredited certification programs:
- Accounting - CA, CGA, CMA
- Human Resources – CHRP, PHR, SPHR
- Healthcare – RN, Critical Care, Nurse Practitioner, etc.
- Trades – plumbing, electrical, engineering, etc.
- soft skills: negotiation, mediation and arbitration, etc.
- hard skills: project management, deep sea diving, fork lift operation, cash handling/cashiering, bar tending, truck driving, aviation (flying), drafting, sign language, etc.
Identify Cost Cutting Alternatives
Do you have an idea that will save the company money? This is the time to propose a solution that will save costs. For example, travel budgets will be tightly monitored so if you are able to source out and set up teleconferencing equipment or train on the latest web based meeting software (e.g. GoToMeeting, WebEx, LiveNote) this will enhance your employability.
Demonstrate Leadership Ability
Finding opportunities to demonstrate your leadership potential will peak upper management’s interest and identify your place in a succession plan. Show that you can lead a team through a change initiative as there will be many changes necessary in the next while to help companies cope with the economic changes.
Demonstrate your leadership potential by:
- volunteering as a mentor to new staff
- getting involved in training initiatives such as conferences or lunch and learn seminars
- volunteer as a project leader for a new project
Be a Strong Team Player
This is not the time in your career to be high maintenance. Keep the complaints about working conditions, salary or colleagues outside the office. This is a time to be positive and to appreciate what you do have, not complain about what you don’t have. Supervisors will have a low level of tolerance for employees that require constant babysitting, pumping up or special treatment. Are you making unreasonable demands on your boss? Do you receive comments or body language gestures (such as eye rolls or sighs) from your colleagues that you are asking for too much? Change your attitude to one of appreciation, cooperation and positivity.
Using these strategies to stabilize your career outlook will help you stay optimistic in the face of pessimistic news forecasts. Be wise and look for opportunities in the confusion.
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