Have you given any thought to the prospect of losing your job next year?
How about next week, or even tomorrow?
What is your plan of attack should this be your fate?
I don’t mean to bring you down or create an unnecessary panic. But think about it for a minute.
You’re reading this blog so you do spend some time reading blogs and it’s highly likely that you also spend time interacting on social media sites.
You likely have a twitter account, a blog of your own, a Facebook account and may very well have a FriendFeed account. You’re probably on LinkedIn as well.
That’s all good. It really is.
Now answer this: Do you think it will help you find a job?
Do you use any of the platforms in a way that will help you find a job?
Do you follow successful entrepreneurs who can influence you to bring your “A” game and provide tips on starting your own business or collaborating with like-minded people?
If you answered no to any of those questions, make a few changes over the next week or so that will allow you to answer yes to them all.
2009 is going to be tough.
Let’s get ahead of the problem and be prepared.
4 comments
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December 14, 2008 at 8:52 am
rondata
All very true, and thankfully I can answer yes to those questions. With the way the economy is right now, and reading about mass layoff after mass layoff, nobody is really *safe* because you really “never know”. Who knew office depot was going to close over 100 stores, or that KBTOYS was going out of business? Not to mention the layoffs in every other industry. They’re in the news every single day.
I have been through layoffs and they weren’t fun. The I’ve watched my own friends at Yahoo stress over whether or not their jobs were going earlier this month.
The message to be prepared is a good one. Never underestimate the power of really good connections.
December 14, 2008 at 9:22 am
Angela Connor
Rondata: Thanks for taking the time to share all of that. I think one the gems in all you wrote is the very last sentence: Never underestimate the power of really good connections. I also think that there are many people who have felt *safe* for so long and it just isn’t so. That’s hard to come to grips with but it’s also liberating when you accept it and plan ahead.
December 14, 2008 at 6:38 pm
rondata
You know, I remember my two past layoffs, and really being worried.. looking at the job market and really freaking out. I am a single mom w/ 2 kids so I need to work.
I feel like now I’d have a better chance (at least in the industry I am now) because of all these awesome connectons. I hope I never have to ask them for a favor, if you know what I mean, but I’m damn glad I have them.
December 15, 2008 at 9:00 am
Angela Connor
Rondata: That is a major attitude shift and testimony about the power of connections. I feel the sama way about my connections. I wouldn’t want to be in a position to ask, but wouldn’t be ashamed to by any means!