Tips: Creating Career Security, Even When You Can't Control Job ...

Building career security can be as simple as attending networking events and getting involved in your industry.

Job security is fast becoming an anachronism. As businesses continue to be cautious, cutting back wherever possible, it is now up to the employee to build his or her own ?career security,? rather than job security. Career security is something the individual has control over, while job security is subject to the whims of the economy and the employer. ?

There is no shortage of recent examples of major layoffs in North America. Research in Motion recently slashed 2,000 jobs and Cisco announced potential cuts of up to 10,000 jobs. Cisco?s announcement arrived alongside similar news from Lockheed Martin and Borders, creating a combined total of 23,000 job cuts between the three firms. This year in B.C., layoffs have been especially notable in the advertising industry, with agencies such as Cossette West and Rethink reducing the size of their staffs. ?

Unlike older generations, working people today are not holding positions for 20 or 30 years. People now shift their job positions and career trajectories multiple times throughout their lifetimes. Seniority within an organization does not make an individual immune to being laid off. I have especially seen this occurring with recent changes in the insurance industry. Mergers and acquisitions have left senior employees jobless due to organizational shifts, despite 20 years or more of industry experience.?

While the lack of job security can bring anxiety and stress, it can also bring opportunity for personal growth and achievement. Yes, the hammer could fall at any time, but there are proactive steps employees can take to help create their own career security.?

To develop career security, employees must take the initiative to both strengthen their existing position within a firm and enhance their overall professional profile for opportunities outside of current employment. In my role as a recruiter I often counsel newly employed candidates to consider various ways to add value to the organization. Whether it is going that extra mile on a project, making extra calls or assisting on something outside of your assigned responsibilities, small actions can leave a strong, lasting impression. However, it is important to keep these tasks within reasonable limits to avoid burnout. ?

Additionally, advancing your skill sets through continued education, informally or formally, can also help make you an invaluable member of a team. Participate in an educational webinar or attend an industry conference to brush up and improve your skills. If you want to take a further step, showcase your knowledge by setting up an industry blog. If you are not ready to commit to a blog, offer to lead a staff lunch-and-learn on newly gained knowledge from a conference or event.?

Networking is also a significant component of creating career security. Expand your network by maintaining and building your LinkedIn profile online, attending industry events, volunteering, or getting involved in professional organizations outside of work. The key is to not confuse networking with simply handing out business cards. Instead, aim to establish real relationships with key industry professionals. This can ensure that if the hammer does fall, you can tap into a large network of professionals to assist you in finding alternative employment. Candidates who remain in touch and maintain a relationship are often the first I consider when new opportunities come up.?

Finally, simply keeping your resume up to date can help you land on your feet if you lose your job.?

While the job market outlook may seem less than stable, candidates simply have to rethink the concept of job security. You cannot control the ups and downs of the market, but you can control and build upon your own career security to strengthen your current and future professional positioning.

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Source: http://www.bcbusinessonline.ca/careers-and-employment/career-advice/tips-for-career-security

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