Whether you are happy with your current job or ready to look for new opportunities, would you be prepared if you suddenly experienced a job loss? Even if things are going well, it's important to plan for the future. You need to have a backup plan in place in case you are terminated or your current company closes its doors. Follow these tips to weather a job loss without losing your sanity.
You never know when you're going to be forced to look for a new job, so make sure you update your resume regularly. If you lose your job unexpectedly, you don't want to have to spend hours searching through old files and trying to remember your dates of employment from the job you left five years ago.
Professional networking is one of the best ways to protect yourself against job loss, especially if you are new to your industry. While you are employed, make a habit of attending networking events or participating in professional development opportunities with people from other companies. Update your LinkedIn profile regularly to ensure people in your network know about your recent accomplishments. Making professional contacts while you have a job is much easier than it is if you try to do it after a companywide layoff.
Make it your mission to stay current on all the trends happening in your industry. If you don't attempt to broaden your horizons while you have a job, it might be difficult to find a new position after a job loss. Enroll in a professional certification program or take continuing education classes to learn new skills. Read trade magazines or business newspapers on a regular basis to ensure you are up-to-date on what is happening in your field.
Just because you are employed doesn't mean you should avoid looking at the job listings for your area. In fact, you should be looking at job ads at least once or twice per week. Make a list of jobs that match your skills and educational background. If you experience a sudden job loss, you can start applying to those jobs right away instead of spending hours engaged in a job search. Try to make connections with people who work for the companies doing the hiring. You might have a better chance of getting an interview if you have a referral from someone inside the company.
Get your references in order now instead of later. If you have to start your job search without a lot of notice, you don't want to waste time calling and emailing people to ask if they are willing to serve as professional references. Ask permission now, and make sure you have current contact information on file for each person.
No one wants to experience an unexpected job loss, but it's a fact of life in today's economy. By planning ahead, you can reduce the amount of time it takes to find a new job and eliminate some of the stress associated with a layoff or business closure.
Photo courtesy of winnond at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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