Being Prepared in an Ever-Changing Job Market
Unless you live under a rock, you can’t help but hear about layoffs, M&A’s, and downsizings.
Don’t panic. Instead, be prepared!
Years ago, my husband and I both worked for the same insurance company. He was in underwriting management and I was in a field rep position. We got a new CEO and with that came a slew of changes overnight. We were told we’d all have to reapply for our positions and that there would be some downsizing. Five underwriters would become four; four field reps would become three, etc.
I’m not one to be alarmist but when you and your spouse both work for the same company, it’s hard not to hit the panic button when this happens.
So what did we do? Well…we took a day or two to gripe with our coworkers, reminisce about “the good ole days”, and sulk around a bit.
Then, we took action laying the groundwork to have options if things ended up going sideways.
We checked in with recruiters who’d been reaching out to us over the years.
We checked competitors’ job postings.
We spoke with our favorite agency partners to get word out that we might be open to a change.
In the end, my husband got a job offer with a great company – a better role, more money, and better opportunity. I received an offer with my favorite agency to become a producer. Shortly after receiving our offers, we learned we’d both actually kept our jobs.
So, what happened next?
Well, we both gave notice and took those new roles anyway! We never looked back, and I can say with 100% confidence that those moves propelled us far further in our careers than staying put would have. Sometimes things have a way of working out just as they’re intended.
If your work environment is changing around you, it’s ok to be sad, scared, anxious – all the things. Take a minute to feel it, then - get to work! If I were an employee right now, here are the things I’d be doing to make sure I’m ahead:
LinkedIn profile – Details of your roles (helps you pop up in recruiter searches), a professional-looking photo, and up-to-date contact info.
Resume – Have it ready to go, don’t wait until you need it. Enlist the help of a friend who’s in HR and has strong writing skills, or pay a professional (like us!)
Do: Highlight your expertise with action items; include results/numbers that show specifics of what you’ve accomplished; clearly show designations you’ve attained.
Don’t: Include your full street address (show city/state only); Years of graduation if you’re 40+; Irrelevant, dated positions (McDonald’s, lifeguarding, etc.); References (they’ll ask if they want them, use that valuable real estate for more important info)
Network – Connect with industry peers, former colleagues, and recruiters so that you are top of mind.
Elevator Pitch — Think about how to articulate what you do really well. Your “elevator pitch” about what you do and why you’re great will help you quickly and effectively sell yourself on a call with a recruiter or hiring manager
A few other tips…
Get your mind right: Project positivity and confidence!
LinkedIn posts (and comments on other people’s posts) should be professional and positive. It’s OK to be frustrated with your situation but share that with friends and family. Keep it positive and upbeat on social media. No one wants to hire a negative nelly.
Beef up your credentials!
There’s no better time than now to add some alphabet soup behind your name! Even if you’re only part way through a designation, include the courses you’ve completed on your resume.
“Remember, YOU control your destiny. No one is coming to save you. If you don’t like your situation, only you can do something about it! ”
