Q. I am a Human Resource Manager for an electronics communications company that is at risk of declaring bankruptcy. I want to help the company stay solvent by doing as good a job as possible. I like my work very much but my spouse thinks I should be looking for another job. How can I do that while working full time?
A. In the new World of Work, managing one's own career is imperative. That means that you can't depend on lifetime employment with one employer, so you need to be aware of the current labor market, expand your work experiences, continually update your skills, and have a resume ready. All of this, while performing well in your current employment. Sounds like a tall order, but it can be done.
Start by reviewing what you have done with your current employer. What responsibilities did you assume that broadened your experience? Did you save the company money? Did you increase production? Did you bring in new contracts? Did you reduce project time? Did you receive complimentary letters from customers? List any of the above on a sheet of paper. Create a resume that demonstrates your accomplishments and skills. Have a draft ready to reproduce when you decide to explore your options.
Next, identify everyone you know in your field, especially your competitors. Check the yellow pages and the classifieds. Make a list of those companies. Have informal, non-disclosing conversations with the sub-contractors employed by your company. With what other companies have they contracted? What can they tell you about their work culture and their current stability?
Then, go to the Internet and search job banks (see Resources) to look for two things: (1) job listings for Human Resources Manager and (2) the skills and experience required for those jobs. Unless you are willing to relocate, the electronic job banks may not be the best resource for your next job, but they will give you a sense of the current labor market and, perhaps even more important, will indicate what experience and skills employers are looking for today. You may need to add to your skills, and this is the time to begin.
Is it easy to manage a successful career transition while working? No. Is it possible? Yes, and hundreds of people nationwide are doing it in this constantly changing World of Work.
Dr. Rita Carey, has assisted dozens of organizations and thousands of individuals through a broad array of transitions - from individual career changes to change management strategies for entire corporations. For biographical information on Dr. Carey, please click here
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