17 Jun Career SOS: #1 Hard Truths plus some Hope

Career SOS explores the ways in which you can navigate your Career through uncertain economic waters and a changing work climate. This post is the first in the Career SOS series.

Take inventory of the situation

Any effective plan for dealing with a crisis begins with accessing the scenario.

Here’s what we know:

• Entire industries have been pummeled. Many businesses have had to close, and many are barely hanging on
• Companies have been forced to restructure and cut their workforce, in some cases drastically
• While some businesses are reopening, it’s not at the same capacity as pre- Covid 19
• This means people who are off work now, may not have jobs/ or as many hours of work to return to
• To cut back on un-affordable overheads, businesses that are able to, have more of their staff working remotely and in some cases permanently
• Statisticians are saying that it will take 10 years to rebuild the workforce back to where it was pre-Covid 19: J.P. Morgan Chief Investment Officer Bob Michele predicted that “it will take 10-12 years after the pandemic for U.S. employment to get back to its pre-Coronavirus level.”

At issue is this: it isn’t simply that you’ve been off work or working less for 3 months, it’s that while you’ve been distancing at home, the whole fabric of Work in our society has changed.

Hard Truth: You are not entering the same workforce you stepped out of 3 months ago. The paradigm of work/employment is changing dramatically and in order to survive/thrive, you will have to change with it.

Be Prepared

The next 3 – 5 years is going to be a vulnerable period.

For the foreseeable future, there will be far more competition for each job posting. Start now to prepare yourself to stand out in a much larger crowd. It’s no longer a case of  “throwing together a resume” and sending it out.  You are going to have to excel, if you want to be awarded the job. Be prepared to push yourself harder.

In order to stay afloat, businesses may have to increase contract work and job sharing instead of committing to hiring permanent full time staff. They save by having fewer full time staff as well as not having to pay part time/job sharing employees the same benefit packages as full time employees. Contract workers do not get benefits packages. Some Businesses will offer buyouts to reduce the size of their workforce: June 17, 2020, Canadian pipeline giant Enbridge reported that 800 employees will be taking the buyouts that Enbridge introduced in May. This will reduce operating costs without layoffs. Be prepared to be flexible.

Out of necessity, it will be common for individuals to have at least two revenue streams. To survive, businesses will have to find creative new ways to sell their products and services/ open up new markets. It will be a case of doing whatever you have to do, even if it means working more to get the same. Be prepared to do more.

Reducing household overheads by downsizing, sharing accommodations, opting for staycations, cutting out the extras and learning to love living lean will be commonplace. Be prepared to Adapt.

I could go on, but suffice it to say that you need to be looking at things very clearly now. No one knows for how long this will go on. Think twice about blindly placing the security of your future in the hands of others. Be prepared to take control of your Career.

Hard Truth: You are going to have to step out of your comfort zone.

The Up Side (yes, there’s an upside)

During times of change, when the old paradigm is breaking down, and the new paradigm has yet to be determined, GREAT opportunities present themselves. And that’s where we are right now!

Agility, Adaptability, the willingness to change (Mindset), Creative thinking, Initiative are the kind of qualities that will serve you well now and over the next 5 – 10 years.

This is not the time to sit tight and wait for the storm pass. Government programs such as CERB, will not be offered forever. This is the time to shake off complacency and EVOLVE! This is the time to transform yourself to meet the new conditions! Adaptability is a key characteristic of survival.

Evolution requires that you be willing to get uncomfortable i.e. move out of your comfort zone (the old paradigm), and shift, learn, change, grow and adapt in order to thrive in the new context.

I can’t even count the number of people I’ve spoken to recently who have told me that the enforced Covid-19 pause has made them re-evaluate how they have been living their lives.

The 3 most common thoughts I hear are:

1. I don’t like my job. It’s sucking the life out of me.
2. I feel stuck!
3. I don’t want to go back to the way I as working/living pre-Covid 19.

Having been forced to step back from their former work/life structure, they’ve found a new level of emotional awareness, stability and contentment. They want to keep this as they re-enter the workforce. They want their work to be fulfilling, something they love to do, something they believe in.

Most important of all: They prepared to reconfigure their lives, to be happy.

 Their biggest concern: HOW do I make this happen?

That’s where I jump in.

This is a time of extraordinary potential, when you can break out of old patterns. Reinvent yourself, GROW, expand your reach, discover new niches that have opened up, grab your career by the reins and run with it!! Yes, you need a plan for this and I’ll be talking about that in upcoming posts, but the first thing that has to shift is your Mindset. That’s up to you.

I’m excited! I see us moving into a lighter, leaner time with more consciousness engagement in the lives we are creating. I see us living far more Authentic lives, bringing our gifts, talents and best selves to the workforce, taking less for granted and having much more appreciation for what we have.

Stay tuned for more posts on how to strengthen your Career footing.

Meanwhile, if you would like to get started on Individual Career Coaching, please contact me directly at: 705 794-9900 / [email protected]. Remote sessions available.

You may be interested in these posts

Is it possible to have a Career that is aligned with your  values and interests ?

A Key Condition for Growth: Your Hunger must be Greater than your Fears  

How do you find your Power during times of great Uncertainty?

Life Skills and Empowerment Strategies

Thank you for taking time to read this post! The right information at the right time is a most powerful catalyst for change. For Coaching, Workshops or an Inspiring Talk on this valuable topic, please call me.

Kristina Jansz, Life Skills and Empowerment Strategies  705 794-9900  |  [email protected]

(c) Titans International Inc. Kristina Jansz 2019, 2020-2050