On the eve of another unemployment report from the government, we’re seeing lots of gloomy news about the job market and rising layoffs. The situation lends itself well to depression and cocooning on the coach until the mood passes, but we must resist that temptation!
Now is the time to pay attention, as if you were steering a sailboat in choppy seas. Keep your head up so you know what’s going on in your company. Listen and read. Stay on top of the big picture in your industry.
And take steps to protect your professional and economic well-being, as this economic storm is going to hover for a while. Two great places to start: your resume, and your cash reserves.
A recent article on “7 Tips for a Better Resume” offers great, simple advice for making sure you’ve always got an effective passport into a new job, if necessary. My favorite tip: Avoid personal pronouns. There is no “I” in “resume.” It’s the one writing sample where fragment sentences are encouraged!
Losing your job unexpectedly is often a disaster, yet how many of us have disaster-preparedness kits for such a thing? A polished resume is one component, another is an emergency fund. If you are curious on how to protect yourself better, read “6 Ways to Save for an Unexpected Job Loss.”
As someone who’s lived through such a disaster, I know the two articles referenced above can help provide insurance against extended pain.
