Will your career have to change? The
economy is changing rapidly and the Trump
administration may accelerate change. It’s
time to think about career flexibility.
Most of us change jobs and even occupations.
The fortunes of companies rise and fall. Even
the most talented and valuable workers may
find themselves at a failing or downsizing
company.
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When I was young, there were television repair
shops all over town. Today’s TVs are more
reliable, and when they break we simply buy a
new one. It doesn’t matter how good you are
at repairing television sets; it is no longer a
viable career.
Flexibility within an Occupation
You might be good at your job, get great
performance reviews, and seem to have a
bright future. But your company may
downsize. It could be acquired by another
company, with your job function consolidated
at another location. Any number of things
could jeopardize your job. How should you
prepare for such a shift?
Networking is the first step, and it should
begin well before the risk is apparent. That is,
even if the company’s fortunes are excellent,
make contacts outside the company.
A professional organization is a good starting
point. Virtually every occupation has an
organization of people who do that work and
want to better their skills. Think of an
association of purchasing managers or graphic
artists. Improving skills is important but the
contacts made even more so. Get to know
people who do your kind of work at other jobs.
The best new job I ever got came exactly this
way. I told a fellow economist I had met
through the National Association for Business
Economics that I was looking for a new job.
He replied, “Did you know that Ray is retiring?”
I talked to Ray, applied for his job, and a few
months later replaced him. It was a far better
job than I previously held.
Trade associations are additional ways to
meet people. Whereas an occupational group’s
members are do the same kind of work, a
trade association’s membership includes
people who perform a variety of functions
within a single industry. Think of a banking
association or a restaurant association