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Career Change in Turbulent Times
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The unemployment rate is affecting 7.6 million Americans, up from last year with 6.8 million unemployed, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Americans within industries affected by the decline include construction, manufacturing, real estate, banking, mortgages and retail trade. Jobs in 2008 have a much better outlook in health care and in professional and technical services. So if you are looking to make a job change, get out there first, land a new job, and only then resign. This gloomy economic outlook is a time when you should stay with your current employer until you are certain you have another job lined up. With increased energy prices, stock market uncertainty and higher food costs, it makes sense to stay with your current job without burning bridges.
What type of work would you consider? Think about the type of job you’d consider and then begin your due diligence to ensure the industry you are targeting is viable and has a positive outlook. If you are considering obtaining a real estate license, flipping real estate or getting job as a loan officer, consider the market carefully. Current problems that cannot be fixed overnight are just beginning.
In what type of companies are you interested? Order an annual report and look at the financials of the company. How liquid is the company you are considering? Have there been any major losses that would affect the longevity of the company? Don’t get taken in by the beautiful photos and information in the glossy pages talking about the company. Go straight to the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement. Here you will be able to get a good idea of the company’s future. To understand more about what you are looking for, go to Beginners’ Guide to Financial Statements published by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Interview discreetly - shhhhh! Now that you know the direction you are going, make interviews as inconspicuous as possible. Maybe schedule all your interviews for one day and take a personal day. That will allow you to get dressed up and do your best in each interview situation with no pressure from work. It is not a good idea to tell co-workers your plans. You never know who will tell your boss and potentially create a negative work situation.
To find a job in turbulent times, only make a change in your career once you are certain of your next move. If you carefully consider moves in your career, you will typically end up above the curve in pay and benefits and avoid a desperate job search that rarely allows an improvement in your employment situation.
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