PREPARING FOR TRANSITION
The theme for 2009 is likely to be “surviving the recession,” and whether you are currently in transition, it is prudent to be prepared for whatever might await you in the weeks and months ahead. A recent article by Kate Lorez, editor of CareerBuilder.com, emphasized the following activities:
1. Pay attention to fields and industries, such as health care, food services, education, etc. that are experiencing worker shortages or are still experiencing growth.
2. Freshen your skills, especially those that can be leveraged and transferred to other functions or fields.
3. Network continuously and be sure to have a well established internet voice (i.e. LinkedIn).
4. Think in terms of results and how you can articulate and communicate how you add value.
5. Practice telling your “story” with particular emphasis on what makes you unique and how that adds value.
6. Find opportunities in your current position and do everything you can to make yourself essential.
To these, I’d like to add several more:
1. If you have not done so, update and revise your resume. Make sure it emphasizes your achievements and results.
2. The best time to look for work is when you don’t really need to— so in addition to regular networking, it is recommended that you do informational interviewing to learn about new possibilities, as well as reconnecting with old colleagues and friends.
3. Become familiar with the dynamics of the transition process and recognize the ways that transition can be a positive experience.
Whether you are currently in transition or not, the more engaged you are in these kinds of activities, the more smoothly you’ll get through whatever transition awaits you. If you are having trouble getting started or are feeling stuck, career coaching can assist you to prepare for and successfully move through transition. Give us a call.
Best wishes.
Mark Guterman
mark@alchemysearch.com
