There are three basic techniques that will help you effectively manage your career during the crisis and beyond. The first key is to have a working long-term goal. Second, never neglect and always work to increase your professional network.
Lastly, and this point cannot be stressed enough, always have a current resume at your disposal.
Long-Term Goals
Long-term planning can help prevent your career going into a crisis state in the first place. This type of planning requires you to have a well thought out strategy for career advancement. It also helps you to identify your strengths and improve on your weaknesses.
A long-term goal requires that specific actions be taken at certain, easily identifiable points to help you progress forward. It might be returning to school, taking refresher courses, or obtaining a needed certification. No matter what the actions are, it is the timeline that gives you focus and direction. Essentially, it will keep you on track and can be referred to when things begin to stall.
Long-term goals can change and adapt as your career shifts. Write your goals down and keep them in a place where you can view it daily. This type of planning will get your ideas out of your head and onto paper.
Efficient Networking
Whenever you meet a colleague for lunch, grant a favor for a friend, or join a professional association you are networking. In fact, networking is done so often and in so many different situations that we often don't even realize that we're doing it. Your professional network can provide valuable references in the event you are ever looking for a new job.
Because most open positions are never posted on any employment website, they can also be your most reliable source of job vacancy information. Your network can alert you of openings or advancement opportunities that would not otherwise discover. It is important to network with those whose positions are superior to yours. They can offer you great advice and being in their circle is a great networking strategy.
If you are in the market for a new job, it might be wise to enlist the help of a professional headhunter. A headhunter is trained to find the most lucrative positions that best match your skills while providing chances for advancements. They can also put you in contact with people who can be added to your professional network.
Never underestimate the power of your network!
Your Resume
You should keep your resume ready at all times. Even if you are not actively seeking employment you should have it ready just in case an opportunity comes along that you cannot turn down.
Companies are bought and sold every day and when it happens to you is not the time to start scrambling to update your resume.
