Six Tips to Help You Formulate A Career “Plan B”
Do you know what you would do if you lost your job tomorrow? Did you ever formulate a career Plan B?
Many people joke and say, “Well, I can always wait tables” or “I’ll just teach.” However, those two options might not be practical. You cannot just walk into a classroom and start teaching. There are tests, certifications and a certain level of training you need to complete to become a teacher. Also, depending on the circumstance (company-wide layoff, economic downturn, etc.), you could find yourself competing with hundreds of other people for relatively lucrative serving and bartending jobs.
A career backup plan is a good idea. Here are six tips to get you started.
Take Stock and Add to Your Skills
Before unemployment even begins to loom on the horizon, you need to know what options are viable, and what you would consider. What types of jobs do you have experience in and could return to if all else failed? Review your personal inventory and see what other career fields you could consider.
Continually seek out new training opportunities to keep your skills up-to-date. In-demand skill sets are always changing. Don’t sit back and let your skills wither and die. Many people have found themselves in precarious situations because technology has taken their jobs, and they are not able to find comparable positions.
It’s All About Attitude
Even if the worst happens and you do lose your job, it’s possible to make it through and even thrive. The right attitude can make all the difference. Easier said than done, right? To help buoy your spirits, focus on your past successes. It can do wonders for your attitude and help you find a level of confidence that you may have forgotten you had.
Remember, only focus on those things you can control. There will be a lot that is out of your hands. Accept that there is nothing you will be able to do about certain things and work on those that you can.
Look at Local Companies
Take stock of local opportunities. Continuously build a list of employers in your area, and know what jobs are locally available. For example, a large tech company may have an office nearby, but if it is used only as a sales hub and you are looking for a job in procurement, that may not be a good fit. Also, familiarize yourself with the businesses that are growing; they are usually the ones that are hiring.
Know What You Are Willing to Do
Ask yourself if you are able/willing to relocate. If not, are there opportunities to telecommute? Can you travel? If so, how much?
Is starting your own business a viable option? Do some soul-searching and figure out if you have what it takes to start your business. If so, start doing your research now. Determine what is possible and what it would take in terms of paperwork, investments and working capital to make it happen. That way if you suddenly find yourself without a job, you are in a much better position to begin working for yourself.
Create a Portfolio
If your profession requires it, create and maintain a portfolio. This will help you stand out in your job search. Use work samples to which you have the rights. Do not take proprietary documents from your current employer; it will send a negative message to potential employers that you are not entirely trustworthy.
Commit to Your Backup Plan
When you formulate a career Plan B, you need to commit to it. This means not to come up with it, but put it down in writing. Once it is in writing, you can revisit it. This will help you meet goals and objectives and keep you focused.
No one can predict the lifespan of any job, but if you take time now to prepare a Plan B, you will make a much smoother transition to a new job. Snelling can help you make the transition. So bookmark our website, and if the worst does happen, visit your local Snelling office. We can help you put your Plan B in action.
