“Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell ‘em, ‘Certainly I can!’ Then get busy and find out how to do it.” -Theodore Roosevelt
Now is the time to take on extra responsibilities on the job and move out of your comfort zone. Here are 10 tips to help you recession-proof your career:
1. Speak up at the next staff meeting. Make a positive contribution to the conversation and share your ideas. Don’t wait until something happens and then say, “Gee that was MY idea.” How would anyone have known?
2. Schedule a review with your boss. Make her aware of your valuable contributions. It’s not bragging if it’s true AND your boss may not be aware of all you do. Track your results now. Go back into your emails and see how many customers praised your work. Create a “me file.” Want more tips? Read: Revealing Your Personal Power in the Workplace.
3. Anticipate the needs of your coworkers — and other departments. You might be in product development, but you just read a good marketing article that’s on target for your company’s goals. Send it to your colleague in marketing with a brief note, “Saw this and thought you might find it helpful. Thanks for the hard work on the launch of the X project!”
4. Build bridges to other departments. When I worked in the newspaper industry there was a disconnect between advertising, production, and editing (reporting). I created a bridge simply by asking questions and learning more about the other departments. Cross train if your company has a program.
5. Provide genuine compliments. “Nice shoes” is OK, but “Wanda, your help on the gizmo project was invaluable. The fact that you were able to land coverage in Wired magazine, WOW!” is better. Good compliments are specific — and genuine.
6. Mentor the newbie. What tips can you provide that will help this person succeed in your organization?
7. Take a class and build your skills. But then you won’t have your MBA until you’re 40 you say? Yes, but you’ll still be 40… Why not have the degree?
8. Become a thought leader in your industry. Start a blog. Write a whitepaper. Speak at your next industry conference.
9. Network inside and outside the company. Take an active role on employee improvement teams, volunteer groups, and professional organizations.
10. Shake things up. Think of at least one thing you can do right now that would save your department money, streamline operations or improve morale. And just do it! “But it’s always been done like that” is old thinking. “How can I improve this” is new thinking.
Bonus: Build your brand! Increase your visibility the right way to attract opportunities to you. Now more than ever, you’ve got to be noticed. (And I don’t mean that picture of you dancing on the table on MySpace.) Google yourself now to see where you stand.
Want more tips? Visit our newsroom.
I’m happy to announce that Quintessential Careers’ founder and publisher Randall S. Hansen has invited me to participate in Job Action Day 2008, which is set for this Monday, November 3rd. I’m excited to be a part of this “day for job-seekers and workers to confront the current economic crisis head-on and take action steps to improve their careers.” (Read the full press release here.)
Rock Your Career® 