How to Improve Your Career Resilience

Job security certainly isn't what it used to be...

As companies increasingly prioritize profits over people, "loyal" employees are finding that their dedication and commitment are no longer reciprocated by their employers.

You may be worried about widespread layoffs, hiring freezes, redundancy, the economy, uncertain future prospects, and a particularly tough job market.

Your employer controls your job security, but you control your career resilience.

Career resilience means being prepared for whatever's next. It's being confident that you can and will overcome any job-related challenges that come your way.

Here's how you can improve your career resilience:

1. Assess your current situation

Learn the warning signs of a layoff

Recognize indicators that your company might be considering layoffs. Keep an eye on company performance, changes in leadership and priorities, budget cuts, and industry trends that might impact your job security.

Evaluate your position

Understand where you stand with your current employer. Regularly seek feedback and stay informed about your performance reviews. Knowing your strengths and areas for improvement can help you navigate your career more effectively.

Analyze the impact

Assess the potential personal, financial, and professional effects of sudden job loss. This includes understanding your financial runway, employment requirements, health coverage options, and emotional well-being. Being prepared for these impacts can help you manage them better if they occur.

2. Prevent and mitigate risks

Manage up

Ensure your value is visible to leadership. Do you bring in more money than you cost Communicate your achievements and the value you bring to your employer on a regular basis. This can help you stay top of mind (in a good way) when decisions about staffing are being made.

Know your next target

Clarify what you want in your next role. This includes understanding the type of work, company culture, and responsibilities that align with your career goals. Where will you find your next job? Having a clear vision can help you recognize and seize opportunities that align with your goals.

Address gaps

Based on your next target role, identify and work on knowledge or experience gaps. This might include taking courses, seeking mentorship, or gaining new experiences that can help you advance in your career. If you're missing a skill that's crucial for the job you want next, how can you bridge that gap?

3. Prepare for a job search (without actually applying)

Update your resume

With your target role in mind, update your resume and LinkedIn profile now, long before you need it.

Reconnect

Reach out to friends and colleagues who would support you in a job search. Who would you simply love to work with again? Who do you think would love to work with you again?

Practice interviewing

What's your elevator pitch? What are your key skills and superpowers? What questions tend to rattle you the most during an interview? Practice is crucial when it comes to boosting your interview confidence.

4. Repeat

Keep your resume updated

If you know you're unlikely to do this, then create a place to capture projects and feedback for later use. Document your wins and accomplishments along the way so that when you do update your resume, you have all the data you need in one place.

Keep your network warm

Maintain an active presence on virtual networks like LinkedIn or find other ways to keep up with former colleagues. While you can always reach out "cold" when in need, but it's always more comfortable reaching out to someone you've kept in touch with.

Keep your skills sharp

If you're not learning and growing in your current role, or if you're not actively using the skills you hope to for your next role, find other means to gain this experience. In addition to on-the-job skills, stay sharp when it comes to job hunting skills, including interviewing, networking, and negotiation.

If you'd like to learn more about career resilience and what you can do you improve it, I'd be happy to chat! Feel free to schedule some time with me.

Are you still relying on job security through your current employer, or are you ready to focus on your own career resilience?