Archives

January 2009
To Ask or Not to Ask. What is the Salary?

November 2008
KISS Your Resume

October 2008
How to make a professional first impression before uttering a single word

February 2009

The Recession And Your Career

As fitness counselors, we often tell our clients that there is not a quick fix to weight loss or health changes; we encourage patience and a steady pace of change with long-term goals and perseverance. We ask them to consider the basics of exercise and nutrition emphasizing balance and moderation.

I suggest we take our own (similar) advice to survive the recession. It is time to get back to the basics, back to working with long-term goals and perseverance. It is time for balance and moderation as opposed to excess and entitlement. We are currently hearing that the worst is yet to come so we have to be smart and diligent about the decisions we make each day. I think we can learn from the past. We can especially learn from previous generations that have survived recessions in their careers. If you look at the GI generation and Baby Boomer generation they persevered with strong core values. We too need to press forward with similar core values. Consider the values that define the GI and Boomer generations.

GI Generation (born before 1940s)
Dedication
Sacrifice
Hard Work
Respect for Authority
Patience
Delayed reward
Duty before pleasure
Adherence to rules

Baby Boomers (1940-1960s)
Optimism
Team orientation
Health and wellness involvement

As a professional your measurable value is more important now than ever before. YOU NEED your employer to NEED YOU. How can you remain valuable?

• Cross train. Do not speak the dreaded "That is not my job."
• Stay current. Keep up to date on current ideals and practices and be a resource for those around you.
• Exceed expectations. Take additional responsibilities, especially if they are long-term projects.
• Invest in professional relationships.
• Network by being pleasant and getting along with others.
• Remain focused. Worrying about work and participating in rumors will not help you.
• Be creative. Brainstorm and present ideas that save money, or better yet, generate money for your company.
• Be in line with your company's mission statement. Know where your company is going and help it succeed in getting there.

If these things seem obvious to you then take them as a reminder and an opportunity to reflect; take a personal inventory of your actions. If these ideas spark inspiration to improve then start now. In the meantime it never hurts to be prepared. Keep your resume and portfolio current and available for immediate presentation if needed. Unfortunately no one is 100% recession proof.