Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
John F. Kennedy
“I’ve been doing this since 1995 – it’s what I know. Now what?” So lamented the senior sales executive who lost his job following a company restructuring. He didn’t see it coming.
Gone in a flash was the $200k+ compensation package. The high-visibility position. The security he thought his tenure and rank provided him. He had the cushion of severance, but what was he going to do after that?
It’s a dynamic world out there, and nobody’s immune from change.
Unfortunately, a lot of workers still act as though they’re exempt from that inevitability.
Change is the law of life.
If you look up one day and find your job in jeopardy – or worse, look up to see a pink slip – then you probably haven’t been paying attention. Or you missed some signals.
If you’re thrust into a job search and realize your outdated skills are putting you at a disadvantage – you’ve been complacent.
You’re in charge of your career. As the CEO of You, Inc. - the buck stops with you.
Are you putting the best possible product (you are the product) out there? Are you current? If you're unsure, think about it this way: if you lost your job today - how competitive a candidate would you be?
What are you planning in terms of your next career move? (There should always be a plan…avoid getting too comfortable in your current role.)
What’s “hot” in your company? What’s “hot” in your industry? What’s the competition doing? Where’s your company headed? What kind of an impact do you anticipate from developing trends?
A dynamic economy requires a vigorous response.
Don’t let change surprise you. Instead, look ahead and actively plan for the future. You won’t always get it exactly right, but you’ll have a big advantage over all the people who simply let their careers “happen” to them.
The Interview Edge - required reading for people who are serious about their careers.
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