You Can’t Recession Proof Your Job…or Can You?

Note: This is a guest post by John Flanagan over at CSN Chairs taking on my point that you can’t recession proof your job. A couple great points here so take a read. -Lance

It seems like every time you turn on the news, read the newspaper or just happen to overhear a conversation on the street, the recession is all around you; it is closing in, lurking, and affecting your psyche at work more than ever. You hear rumors of a possible layoff, and all the signs seem to be there that the company is not doing as well as you thought. Is there anything that you can do to ensure that your job is safe?

Two weeks ago, Lance wrote an article that suggested it is impossible to recession proof your job. While he may be right on with this one, it’s not time to throw up the white flag just yet. It may be impossible to control the future of your job security, but you can still recession proof your career with simple everyday attitudes. These attitudes will determine your place at your current work setting as well as prospective career opportunities.

Prepared Not Paranoid

A recent Wall Street Journal article entitled “How to Recession Proof Your Career” outlined eight points for beneficial recession proof attitudes. The article suggests that being prepared by dusting off your resume, and networking to past connections, is absolutely essential. Recession preparedness and creating a plan B is always a good idea. Still, it is important not to panic. Walking in everyday waiting to be blown off your office chair by a ticking time bomb and planning ahead for future opportunities are two very different mentalities. Paranoia only causes stress which then translates into poor job performance, poor outlook, daily overreactions and contagious negativity. Being the source of negativity is not good for company as well as individual morale.

Visible or Not Visible

While some think that being more visible in the work setting helps with job security, others believe that staying on task and less visible is the better attitude. I think that there is something to be said for both; it really just varies on the individual. Some people are extremely outgoing and ask for more responsibility with their jobs, or they try to take on more of a leadership role, while others are more introverted, and would rather quietly do their jobs well without drawing too much attention to themselves. This is all fine if this works with the individual’s personality. Many articles out there are saying that people need to be more outgoing, ask more questions and take on more responsibility to retain their jobs, but I disagree. I think there is something to be said for the person who quietly does their job well, without trying to be something that they’re not. It appears fake and awkward if Silent Jim suddenly tries too hard to become vociferous and outspoken at work because he read he had to act that way in some obscure blog.

One Dimensional or Transferable

Gaining tools and integral knowledge to perform a job well can work wonders for that specific job, but making sure that those skills are transferable is an even more important endeavor. Building a recession proof career is about constantly obtaining tools to master specific aspects of your career, not just those unique to your current situation. Consulting outside sources for more knowledge and having genuine discourse with others in the same career field are two very important everyday tasks. Not only do they build a strong network, they can also help to ensure that your career is transferable. Furthermore, you will become an asset to the company because of your exposure to different viewpoints outside of your immediate work setting.

So What Now?

Your attitude is going to be one of the biggest factors in the overall success of your career and achieving major life goals. That is an inevitable fact. While I agree with Lance that you may not be able to control the financial success of your company, you can still control your own destiny by building a recession proof career. So, if you happen to face the unfortunate outcome of losing your job, you will be able to look at this as an obstacle not a “disaster” as Lance calls it. If you have worked hard to create a recession proof career, then you will only be near the rubble, not trapped in it.