TriadCareers.com

During a tough economic climate like this one, is it possible to protect your job from layoffs?Experts call it “recession-proofing,” which we started talking about last week. But recession-proofing your career is not as clear-cut a process as, say, weather-proofing your deck. You don’t just paint a coat or two on and be done with it. Rather, the protective layers involved in recession-proofing are numerous and should be applied gradually. Sure, you should be focusing first and foremost on your job. After all, if you spend too much time worrying and preparing your resume, you’ll be less focused, get less accomplished and become more susceptible to losing your job anyway.In the back of your mind, however, you should be formulating a plan in case your job is the next to be axed.Target growth industriesSome people might want to think about a complete shift in career focus if they find themselves part of a particularly precarious field or company. To avoid becoming a constantly nervous employee in a shrinking industry, Fred Henry, a career counselor with the JobLink Career Center in Greensboro, suggests job seekers focus on “industries least affected by the recession” such as health care and, on some levels, education.That’s good for job seekers fresh out of college or preparing for their first real job, but Randall Hansen, founder and president of Quintessential Careers, says that may not be a realistic solution for everyone.“Industries that we thought were somewhat recession-proof, like education, are now taking some massive hits” due to some states’ budget cuts, he says.It also may not be prudent to move over to a new career field simply because it may be more immune to layoffs. “If you are passionate about your career, it doesn’t make sense to switch,” Hansen says.Take advantage of trainingInstead of diving hastily into training for a career that’s completely foreign to you, Hansen and Henry advise identifying transferable skills you’ve acquired through your work experience and determining other companies or industries where they could be used.In the event you are laid off before you even have time to think about what else you could do with your skills, there are resources available to assist with your transition to something new. Henry advises qualified individuals to look into training and employment assistance supported by federal programs such as the Department of Labor’s Workforce Investment Act, and Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers whose jobs are adversely affected by foreign trade.Keep talking ... and listeningNetworking should be a constant, even if you already have a job, Henry says. The connections you make in your organization may be helpful if you ever need to find a new job, even if it’s with the same company but in a different department. It’s also a good idea to catch up with former bosses and coworkers to find out what they’re doing and plant the seeds for future contact, which could lead to new job opportunities.Although unpaid, volunteering for a nonprofit may also provide you with more contacts or job leads on top of the satisfaction of contributing to a cause you care about, Henry says.Look at the glass half full The current economic climate may not be ideal for any party — employers, employees or job seekers — but it can actually bring to the forefront a few positive changes that may not come to the surface during more prosperous times.A simple self-assessment can help determine what you’ve accomplished over the past year in your job, and whether you’re still happy, want a career change or need professional development assistance. As a result, workers and jobs seekers become “more aware of their value in the marketplace,” Hansen says.When that value becomes more clear, recession-proofing begins to feel more like a natural career-building process than a reactive, emergency response to uncertain economic times.“These are all tips people should be doing anytime,” Hansen says, “not just during a recession.”Contact Patrick Collins at 412-5934 or by e-mail at patrick.collins@news-record.com.