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The New Normal When You Work For A Company

Your well-being is linked to your awareness of changing conditions

Work in America has undergone a tectonic shift. As a result, many of us feel that life as we knew it no longer exists. No longer are there jobs for life – unless you create the job and the company yourself. Whole companies can go under, leaving employees stranded. Whole job categories can disappear. Fundamental reorganization happens.

Today’s working normal requires your attention and your preparedness.

Pay attention to the financial well-being of your business sector and your firm. Talk to coworkers, google your business category, listen and read, be attentive to signs or indicators about the strength of your firm or its business sector. Are you working in a high growth business sector, a slow growth sector or is your firm in a declining sector? How is your firm doing compared to its competitors?

Keep an eye on your job category. Even if your firm is strong, be aware of their strategic planning. Some strong firms seek efficiency by reducing job categories. Or, they may choose to send certain jobs overseas. Perhaps the opportunities in your particular job category are diminishing at your firm. Even if your skills are exceptional, be aware of the changing landscape, especially if there are fewer and fewer jobs using your fine skills.

Do not jump ship too soon. If you feel you are seeing early warning signs of trouble, increase your efforts to monitor the situation. Don’t forget that some firms are cyclical, they naturally experience ups and downs. Look at your organization’s history. Has the kind of change you are noticing happened before? What happened then?

Make your own personal strategic plan. Take the reins for your career’s well-being. Consider your strengths, your skills, your preferences.  With those in mind, develop your own personal career plan. In it, assess the options available to you. Consider what might happen at your firm that would put your well-being at risk – then figure out the steps you would take to remedy the situation.

Keep your resume polished. Whatever your career category, be certain your resume is up-to-date. You never know when an ideal opportunity comes along for which you will want your resume. Or, if a negative surprise should occur, you are ready with not just your resume but a personal plan.

Actively maintain your network. Your network is a valuable asset. These are all the people - your peers, superiors, subordinates, customers and suppliers – who might have a valuable connection or referral should there be need for a change.

Establish an emergency fund. Some advisors suggest a 3-month safety net, some say a 6-month safety net and some suggest you keep enough money available to live for a year without employment. Whatever your personal number, an emergency fund can be the life boat needed at a crucial point in life.

Today’s normal puts you at the helm of your own career, monitoring your current working situation while also making plans that ensure your well-being in a thriving career over your working lifetime.