A job seeker friend once said he no longer thinks in terms of landing a "long-term job." He assumes that his prospective employer is looking for a "project worker." Once the project is completed, my friend will likely be out looking for another job (aka, project).
This isn't what most job seekers want to hear, but maybe it helps to recognize that in this economy, employers are thinking in those terms... and maybe you should be too.
How to Keep Your Job in '09 by Working Like a Freelancer by Karen Burns says freelancers "are basically always looking for a job, and that is where their strength lies." Even though you may not consider yourself a freelancer, you may have to conduct your job search as if you were one.
Here's another way of saying it: "Your job security no longer lies in having a job, it lies in knowing how to work the job market." So once you land your next job, don't put all your job search materials away. Stay plugged into the job search arena, build and maintain your networks, keep your resume up to date, and always be prepared to look for another job. And remember, if you get laid off, it's not because you performed poorly, it's just the new face of employment rearing its head to say, "It's time to move on." Hopefully you'll be ready to do just that!
Monday, January 26, 2009
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Excellent post. The face of employment and hiring has changed drastically over the past two years. Everyone needs to think of themself as a company and have a 1-3 year business plan. You are then ready to move when needed. Consistent networking combined with being active in industry groups, blogs, etc... will ensure that you are seen as a subject matter expert - someone companies would like to have on their side. Don't leave your future up to someone else - take charge. Thanks for the post.
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