Manage Your Career and Create Job Security

A changing economy and a rapidly changing world make it essential that you have a strategy that allows you to adapt and prosper.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Headlines

As organizations react quickly to a changing world they can no longer figure out where or how the downsized and outsourced people from their company can fit into other parts of their organization. Some more enlightened organizations will allow their people to proactively look for work inside their companies.  In other words, you must adapt and come up with your own “Job Security” strategy.

Changing Economic Times

You’re a good employee doing a great job so your job is secure?  Right? Wrong!  Through no fault of your own you may end up out of work.  Many of the articles and reports I come across refer to government statistics that say the average American worker has only been in his or her job approximately four years.  No matter how you do the math or break it down this translates into multiple jobs and probably multiple careers over a work life span.  The conclusion is be smart about your career and have a “Job Security” strategy.

Non-Stop Career Development

Is best done with continual job hunting.  If you are employed the best way to understand what the market is looking for is to be in the job market and get the feedback that it provides.  Job-hunting is not just an activity you engage in when you are out of work.   Amazingly enough this approach is good for the employee and the employer.  The employee by definition of their search becomes sharper, more sophisticated, and more proactive.  This translates into a more savvy, adaptable, and valuable employee.  Continual job hunting is a key component of a “Job Security” strategy.

Pervasive Technological Change

Technological change has eliminated the need for layers of people processing paper, passing forms up and around.  Computers have eliminated these layers rendering a lot of “management” jobs obsolete.  However the technology changes have enabled the creation of new industries, new jobs in old industries, and new opportunities.  Taking advantage of these changes should be part of your “Job Security” Strategy.

The Good Old Days Weren’t Very Good

Large stable company hires you and you spend the next 40 years working there in possibly the same job with little or no career advancement.  For some this is heaven and for others it is stifling and unrewarding.  For others they play the game, work the system and move up.  The latter is the exception and not the rule.

If you have been with a company for quite some time maybe even 10, 15, or 20 years you should not feel secure as the changes going on in the greater economy could easily have a negative effect on you and your family.  A “Job Security” strategy is required.

What Exactly is Job Hunting?

The definition of job hunting no longer means a quick “polishing up” of a tired resume that no one is likely to read.  Instead it has become a proactive and continual understanding of market conditions both inside and outside your organization if you are currently employed.  It is up to the individual to look after his or her self by creating a “Job Security” strategy.

Change and Uncertainty Equals New Opportunity

Sometimes the change and resulting opportunity may take you to a new career.

Here’s How You Change Careers

Don’t expect a new employer to “trust” you if you have no apparent background or experience in a new area.  Get educated!

• Understand your target industry
• Get to know people in the industry
• Attend the proper functions
• Show how your skills will translate
• Do some consultant or part time work in the area of interest
• Don’t give up be persistent

Our approach will show you how

Career Planning versus Job Hunting

• We guide you through the planning process to select the best career fit
• Know how to position yourself for the long term
• Understand when to make short-term sacrifices
• Your goals should match your vision
• Stay optimistic it’s a good predictor of success

Put Your Career in Sync with Your Life

• Keep an open mind and expose yourself to new possibilities
• Gather hard facts and real information
• Develop your skills
• Keep your skills and talents up to date
• Access proven job search strategies
• Articulate your marketable skills
• Negotiate a fair compensation package that protects you and your family

What you have just read is part of the Five O’Clock Club process for job search, career management, and career transition.  If this process is one that you feel may work for you then

CLICK HERE for free information on

Job Search, Career Management and Strategies.

As a Five O’Clock Club trained Career Coach and Counselor these are some of the strategies we will work on together to ensure you find the job you want in the industry you want.