Charting Your Course Through Troubled Waters - Part 4

Dealing with the Threat or Actuality of Job Loss

Most of you aren't in business for yourselves. You have jobs. And you feel that you are not in control of your destiny. To an extent that is true. But not completely. Not at all. What is more true is that we don't like change so that in spite of obvious signs that there is trouble ahead we just keep staying at the job until we get the ax. I know because I've done it. I also learned that you can tell the signs and not just let yourself be thrown out of work.

Let's start with some simple math. They are projecting unemployment rising to 8%. Assume they're overly optimistic. Assume that it is 10%. Yikes! What does that mean? It means that 90% of people are working! You need to make sure you're in the 90% and not the 10%.

Now - Practical Advice

1. Analyze the company you're working for. Come on. You know if they're doing good, bad or indifferent. If they're doing bad, you need to accept it and accept that you need to get out of there.
2. Analyze your position in the company. Come on. You know that too. You know if you're essential, one of many, totally superfluous. If you're not on the short list that they might want to keep, accept that you need to get out of there.
3. Don't just let the bus run you over. You can feel it. You can see what's happening. It never really is a total surprise. You have to take action before they let you go.
4. Take your action with urgency. Don't do a halfhearted job. Write that resume. Get on the web sites. Talk to the head hunters. Make it a priority.
5. If your region is totally in the pits consider relocation. That's a tough one. But there are times when a state, city, region is just totally in the pits. If it is for the good of your family and your economic well-being, you might have to move on even if it means leaving family and friends. I've done it.

Hard times are never fun. But they don't have to be the end of times. I said this in an earlier post - don't be a victim.