These days, more and more employees feel at the mercy of layoffs, smaller budgets, anxious supervisors and changing technology. Among all this, how can you be in control of your career?
You may not feel like you are in control, but you are. If you plan well, keep abreast of industry changes and learn new skills, you can ensure that you are a coveted resource rather than simply a number on the payroll spreadsheet. I remember a mentor telling me, "Your career is never over if you continue to learn … Use each day to learn something new, find a positive accomplishment, reach out to help someone else and build your professional relationships."
Put this advice to work in these ways:
Monitor the industry. Read trade publications and Web sites to stay in tune with what is happening. Reading Romenesko's report of yet another round of layoffs might be depressing, but having that awareness -- knowing where there is opportunity and where things are difficult -- helps you navigate the market. Remember, too, that along with downsizing there is often a demand for new skills among remaining employees.
Don't resist change. Change is inevitable; what most hiring managers want to know is how you handle it. Learn what it takes to continue producing excellent journalism. Handle changes by listening, observing where you can respond constructively, and avoiding the gossip that cripples productivity and motivation. One of my favorite expressions is "Rise and shine, don't rise and whine."
Focus on what makes you stand out. What do you find most rewarding in your job? How can you build on that? What do you find most challenging? How do you celebrate your ability to meet these challenges? If you don't recognize the importance of giving yourself credit, you may miss opportunities to build your own self-esteem and to draw positive colleagues and sources to you.
Keep learning. A question I like to ask in interviews is, "How do you set personal benchmarks for yourself?" I like to find out if an applicant constantly improves himself and is driven to achieve results. It's satisfying to set and achieve benchmarks. And your accomplishments -- learning a new technology or mastering an old one, producing an exceptional print or multimedia story, developing a new lead -- are the kinds of things that lead to strong testimonials about you when you look for that new job.
Keep your resume updated. Based on your performance, what would your supervisors say about you? Record your accomplishments and what you did to make them happen. List your new skills and knowledge.
You
are in control. You are defined by your values, your skills, your accomplishments and your outlook. The job is where you are today. Tomorrow can be another opportunity.
Next week: How managers can cultivate a positive workplace.
