Career Planning: Career Booster vs. Career Hurricane

In just a few months, readers in several parts of the world will begin preparing for Hurricane Season. I lived in Florida for three years and I know first-hand what's involved. Shutters. Supplies of water and food. A "safe" room with a door that closes. No matter where you live or what you do, I recommend you also prepare for a Career Hurricane. But before you click off with, "What a depressing topic!" I want to emphasize that career disaster planning has a whole different meaning. You probably heard that the Chinese character for crisis includes a symbol for "opportunity." And the same plans you create for a career crisis will help when good times come around. A recruiter calls unexpectedly. You get a surprise promotion. You decide to leave your job and start your own company. And sometimes your career breakdown happens without outside intervention. You wake up one day and realize, "I can't keep going back to that company for the next ten years...maybe not even ten months." So what goes into your career emergency kit? (1) An updated resume: Keep your resume current. Update at least once every six months. If your resume looks the same after your last update, evaluate your job or your business. Either you need to make a change or you need to recognize accomplishments and promote them. (2) Documentation to support your accomplishments. Documentation means you don't just say, "I'm a good writer." You have sample white papers, reports, brochures and booklets. Were you Sales Rep of the Year? Did you win a company wide award? Get recognized for your innovation? Keep copies at work and also at home. (3) An active professional network. "Dig the well before you're thirsty" is the title of a popular networking book. While you're happily employed -- and have a business card with an affiliation and a title -- join organizations and let colleagues get to know you. (4) Upgraded skills. Continue to take classes and attend seminars. A six-week marketing seminar can help a techie jump-start a career change. (5) Create a list of phone numbers. You'll need a personal support system -- friends and family members. They'll offer empathy and general support - but they won't know how to help you take concrete steps in the direction of a new dream. You'll also need professional sources: recruiters, consultants and/or coaches. When you're caught up in a crisis, most people find their emotions dominate. It's hard to make effective choices under pressure. A small investment in an hour or two, when you have a fairly straightforward question, will help you decide who to call when you face a genuine crisis. Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., works with corporate executives, business-owners and professionals who want to transform career breakdowns to career breakthroughs. Cathy has created the 21-Day Extreme Career Makeover System. Learn more Email Cathy