The job marketplace is in convulsions. Big companies are downsizing. Small companies are tossing in the towel. Outsourcing is still the way of the MBA graduate installed as the new department manager. Corporations continue to have high interest in “inversions” which suggests more lay offs are coming as those companies fulfill inversion objectives and then are forced to re-size from the integration. So what does an employed person do?

  1. Step one is to assess your skill sets to determine what you have and what you don’t have. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
  2. Certainly read my post about making yourself more valuable for your employer today to help keep your job.
  3. Develop a career plan…how to get ahead within your current employer.
  4. Develop a networking plan…how to make more contacts and make those contacts closer. Think of those inside the company and outside. Entrench yourself into associations or take on leadership positions in relevant groups within your industry.
  5. Develop a JOB EVOLUTION plan. Here is where you play the what-if scenarios. What if you were laid off tomorrow? What skills do you have that are marketable? Why types of companies are you suited to work at? What are you doing today to anticipate the future job marketplace? What are you doing to anticipate what jobs of the future will be like and how you can fit in?  Acquiring more, or redirecting, EDUCATION and TRAINING must be among the items listed on your plan.
  6. Develop a BENEFITS EXTENSION plan. Companies encourage employees to pursue education, training, even seminars. For this and other reasons, almost every employer will gladly provide education or training assistance. Maximize that benefit for your own benefit. Where your company refuses to cover your costs, educate and train yourself anyways even if you have to pay for it yourself. Just be sure your money is well invested into knowledge and skills with a purpose: to make yourself valuable when the future arrives so you fit in with TOMORROW’S technological future. Remind yourself that what you see around you today will evaporate. Tomorrow will be automation, robotics, drones, and so on.
  7. Develop a SERVE TECHNOLOGY plan. Be sure to read my post, “Great Future Jobs: People Serving Machines”.  Technology is reshaping the roles of employees in companies. This trend will only accelerate in both pace and timing. Use your job evolution and benefits extension plans to prepare yourself for skills that will keep you valuable in the approaching technology revolution.