Even content employees should be ready to move on
Kim Meier says she’s always on the lookout for a new job, even though she loves her current job.
“It’s kind of a joke with my family and friends — that I seem to be always looking — but the truth is I just want to be ready for the worst,” says the 38-yearold administrative assistant. “Things can change in a single day — at 8 in the morning, you have a great job and by noon, you’re out.”
While Meier’s job-search approach is based on fear of losing her job, the job search has become a full-time reality for others because they want — or need — to look for a new opportunity. They may want more money, an easier commute or more interesting projects. However, even some employees who have a fulfilling, lucrative job feel like they have to be on the lookout for the next big thing. And in some cases, they live in fear.
“I hate that I’m always nervous about losing my job but that’s what drives me to keep myself ready for a new job as soon as I need it,” Meier says.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s OK to take a break from worrying about every aspect of your future and to simply enjoy your job — even if you know you have to be ready for whatever could come next.
“It’s important to keep yourself attractive to other employers. Don’t ‘let yourself go,’” says Bonnie Nylek, a career coach in Morristown, N.J. “But you don’t need to feel like you have to be a continual job search. Give yourself a break and enjoy the job you have. And be an active participant in keeping your credentials and contacts current. That’s not actively looking for a job — that’s just being a realist.”
Nylek offers these tips to help you remain gainfully employed and consistently prepared:
1. Know your industry: Tracking industry trends can help you foresee your company’s future. It pays to know what’s happening in your industry and what others think about your company. Keep up with news in your sector to gain insight into what may be coming.
2. Be confident: Call it what you want, but chances are if you tell yourself something bad will happen to your job, it just might. Instead of dwelling on the ‘what if’ scenarios, focus on an ‘I’m OK’ philosophy. Your employer may change but tell yourself you will always be employed and reality will likely follow suit, she says.
3. Update that resume: A single document can hold a lot of power. Resumes are the cornerstone of the job search. They help set off your skills and accomplishments at a glance. Even if you are not looking for work, updating your resume with your latest achievements is still important. Also, a prepared resume will put you one step ahead of the competition if you do get laid off.
4. Keep networking: Networking doesn’t necessarily mean chatting it up with perfect strangers every chance you get. It does, however, require you to get involved in your profession. Aside from obvious connections on LinkedIn and other appropriate social media platforms, you should have an active, contributing membership in your profession’s applicable associations.