Stay Employed, but Start Looking
Submitted by Markus Redding on April 18, 2009 – 3:06 amMarkus Redding, M.S.W., J.D. is the Co-Founder and Partner of Aristotle Consulting LLC , http://www.aristotleconsulting.com/ a professional consulting firm that provides a variety of marketing, busine... more
No CommentIt is important to remember that even if the unemployment rate reaches 10 percent, 90 percent of Americans in the labor force are still working. So it’s not productive to assume that you’ll lose your job; most Americans won’t.
Still, with the economy the way it is, firing is less and less merit-based and even good workers can get the pink slip. The boss can fire you because he didn’t like what he read on your Facebook page. Is it fair? Probably not, but it’s the way of a recession.
“Networking” is surely the most overused word in the English language.
If you have a job, it pays to be careful. Telecommuting? Probably not a good idea in this economy, where it’s “out of site and out of mind.” It’s too easy to fire someone you never see, and can even fire over the phone! You might even have to tell your boss that you’re willing to work for 20 percent less for a year, or work three days instead of five. It is better to keep the job and benefits than be unemployed in a recession. Stay employed and then start looking.
If you do lose your job, you might increase your chances of landing a new job if you’re willing to offer to work on a “temp” or per project basis, to beat out other candidates. “Networking” — surely the most overused word in the English language — can’t be your only tool. Everyone is as scared as you. Everyone is looking for work, even when they have a job. So don’t tell your unemployed or employed friends what you’re doing, since it’s unlikely they can help you.
The direct competitor of where you work now is the best place to start. Snoop around; look everywhere. But remember, there is a fine line to being persistent, and being a pest. No one hires a pest!
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