CAREER DEVELOPMENT
program in which members meet with self at your current job is to take assign- grow at the company, making you ever
professional coaches and peers on a ments that are important to the future more important in your boss’s eyes.”
weekly basis in a friendly, club-type of the company. These projects will
format. It offers small group career help you boost your status at the com- Get your résumé in order. The easiest
coaching across the U.S. and Canada. pany and stay in front of those who thing you can do to get prepared for a
“The Boy Scouts motto, ‘Be Pre- hold your job’s fate in their hands. That possible layoff is to update your
pared,’ should be your motto as well in said, don’t just quietly do the work— résumé. Be sure to include very specif-
this difficult economic period,” says make sure higher-ups know you’re ic information about the projects
Bayer. “Whatever you decide, whether doing it. you’ve worked on. Remember, you
you want to wait things out at your “Don’t be afraid to talk up your need to know your résumé like the
current job or search for greener pas- hard work,” says Bayer. “When you back of your hand. The best job appli-
tures, you can’t be complacent. You run into your boss’s boss in the eleva- cants also have a great ability for talk-
should either be looking for opportuni- tor, and he says, ‘John, how are you ing about themselves.
ties to stand out at your current job or doing?’ the correct answer is not, ‘Fine. “Once you’ve updated your
searching for another job that provides How are you?’ Instead, say, ‘Terrific. résumé, start practicing what you
you with more job security. Knowing We’ve been working 70 hours a week would say about each experience list-
that you are prepared for whatever on the ABC deal and it’s going great!’ ed,” advises Bayer. “Think about how
happens should give you some com- Not only will you remind the big boss you can articulate your importance in
fort moving forward.” of your importance at the company, the each project, and if possible, sit down
Bayer offers some “act now” tips news will likely draw him into a con- with a friend to do a mock interview.
that will help neutralize some of your versation with you. In one elevator ride Having a strong familiarity with your
layoff fears and prepare for the uncer- or quick stop in the hallway, you’ve résumé will be a great bonus for you in
tain employment future: taken the opportunity to leave a good the future whether you use that knowl-
impression and you’ve separated your- edge as the result of a layoff or whether
Get your ducks in a row. People who self from the pack.” you use it because you want to make a
have not yet been laid off should start career change.”
testing their market with a preliminary Shine a glaring spotlight on customer
job search, advises Bayer. It shouldn’t satisfaction. Seems obvious, but it’s Don’t actually look for a job, but do
be an aggressive job search, but you worth repeating: If you have a job that make some “practice runs.” Make an
need to go through all of the initial puts you directly in front of customers, extensive list of the companies where
steps. And this is especially important do everything you can to make them you would want to work. Put together
if your company has just downsized— happy. Ask them to take customer sur- a list of contacts and start making some
after all, just because you were spared veys so that you know where you and cold calls. Start with the companies
the ax this go-round doesn’t mean you the company can improve your service. you are the least interested in so you’ll
will be next time. If a customer seems particularly have a chance to practice your elevator
“Go ahead and take a look at the pleased, ask if she wouldn’t mind put- speech before you get to your favorites.
opportunities in your area and indus- ting in a good word for you with your Say something like, “I am safe where I
try,” he says. “Update your résumé. boss. Go the extra mile to handle cus- am, but a sensible person has to know
And keep an open ear regarding your tomers’ concerns or complaints and what’s going on in the marketplace. I
company’s future plans. True, all of stay informed about what is going on have been interested in hearing more
this may be for naught if your compa- in their worlds. Ask them how their about your organization and wanted to
ny doesn’t have any more layoffs, but businesses are doing and find out if make sure they know who I am.” Ask if
just knowing in the back of your mind there is anything your company can do you can set up a time to ask them a few
what your options are will help you to ease their burdens. questions and tell them you just want
focus on your current work—which in “Providing this kind of excellent 20 minutes of their time.
turn helps you stay in the good graces customer service will not only please “Remember, you are not job hunt-
of your higher-ups.” your customers, it will encourage them ing,” says Bayer. “You are just explor-
to spread the word about how great ing the market. If they ask why you are
Link yourself into important projects. your company is,” notes Bayer. leaving your present employer, your
(And remember, this is no time for false “They’ll likely refer any interested par- answer is, ‘I may not leave at all. I may
modesty!) The best way to protect your- ties to you, and your client base will stay there forever. I just thought it
20 PROFESSIONAL WOMAN’S MAGAZINE
www.professionalwomanmag.com
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