Tactical Advice for Tackling Career Uncertainty

When times are tough, the tough get tactical.nnMany breadwinners are currently faced with uncertainty and difficult choices. For some the worst has been confirmed and downsizing and retrenchment have left them asking, “What now?”. Many graduates and school leavers who can’t find acceptable employment are faced with the seemingly impossible task of launching a career in a deteriorating economic environment.nnHow each person responds to this challenge right from the outset is the difference between future success and failure. Let’s face it, the stakes are high: one’s ability to provide for one’s self or family, one’s reputation and lifestyle are under threat.nnSo what now? Firstly, drop the blame game; don’t waste valuable time fighting or reacting to the change that has been imposed upon you. Nelson Mandela said of his life’s work in overcoming apartheid and building a democratic South Africa: " [it] was not a question of principle; it was a question of tactics.” Stay in business mode; time is money and your time is your own now so use it wisely. Managing your career is no-one's responsibility but your own, so act accordingly.nnThe next step is to reassess your personal and professional anchors: your short term goals and materialistic standards might have to change over this time. For the moment be realistic about ambitions to drive a porsche by the time the kids leave home, as maintaining mortgage payments and getting your son through his final year of college might be more pressing goals at the moment. Remember, one’s self worth is largely affected by how you meet your own personal goals or view yourself relative to your anchors in life. As these immediate and manageable goals are met one’s self confidence repairs and one is able to return to the path of your long term goals. nnTake a critical look at your definition of success. Is it overly influenced by perception, by friends, family and colleagues. We all need to be reminded to never ever compare ourself to other’s perceived success. You have no idea how much debt someone might have had to take on to maintain the mortgage on his large condo or what uncertainty and fears others are facing. The unremarkable man in an unlabeled suite driving a small car could perhaps be the most secure with no debt and healthy retirement savings.nnFourthly, look for times when you have overcome adversity in your life. Really think about this. What was the problem, how did it make you feel and what did you do then to overcome it? How did you win? This will give you valuable insights into your strengths and coping mechanisms and remind you that you have overcome adversity before, everyone has. nnOur body, subconscious and conscious mind form a complex, adaptive interdependent system. The body affects the mind and the mind affects the body. if you don’t believe you can succeed, you won’t. If you believe you can succeed but this doesn’t reflect in your body language, no-one else will be convinced and negative feedback could derail you. nnIn clinical studies Parsons et al (1982) found that “Children and adolescents’ perception of their own ability in mathematics was influenced by their parents beliefs about their abilities.” A supportive and positive environment greatly boosts your chances of staying on track and provides motivational momentum to see you through inevitable setbacks.nnNow is the time to rebuild your own personal brand or build one if you have never had one, you will need to be able to convey to prospective employers or clients why they should chose you. Remember that no man or woman is defined by the job that they do, instead they are defined by their skill set and the actions they have taken over time to create success or failure within that job. These skills belong to you and stay with you. So move on from, “This is what I do, it’s all I know,” to “this is what I have done and this is what I have learnt.” Look beyond the immediate past, dig out old passions, hobbies and things you have excelled at. You might have an MSc in finance but is finance the only area where you can apply your skills profitably? Did you study finance because you truly love it or because it was a ‘hot’ career choice at the time and there was some pressure to enter into it? nnStay flexible in your new path. Brainstorm without blinkers. Examine the critical tasks that you have had to do regularly. If you are experienced in marketing, for example, some key tasks might have been creative conceptualisation, budgeting and working with external vendors. Someone heading a sales team understands recruitment and customer relationships. These are skills that can be applied in other areas as well. Listen to people complaining, this signifies an unfulfilled need and opportunity. Look around your community, what is missing, what would make it better, how could you make it better? nnThis could be the opportunity that you have never been brave enough to seize for yourself. The opportunity to create your own success on your own terms.