When you arrive at work each day, are you convinced that you are STUCK there yet should feel grateful, given this rocky road economy? This isn’t a call for action urging you to quit your day job; you should be grateful, there are many unemployed out there as we know too well. But are you feeling too comfortable in your current career shoes to be passing up some really sexy ones somewhere else? Note to self: if you are feeling comfy cozy due to the steady predictable income you have coming in but deep down know that you’re not being challenged enough or (yup) compensated enough, why wait for someone to determine your fate? Sometimes no action is just as much a risk, especially if your skills are not being updated leaving you less marketable in the future. Be very careful about hanging around too long because you feel grateful to have a paycheck.
What if that paycheck weren’t around and you were let go on their terms, not yours? Now what?
You will have lost the opportunity to see what you were really worth because (guess what?) the recently unemployed are in no position to start cutting deals when the person on the other side of interview table can smell how much they need a job.
Plan an exit strategy – now.
Before you run into the holidays, when budgets are tight and new hires are put on pause, here’s what you need to do in in the next six weeks.
Find your market worth
- Start going on interviews. It doesn’t mean you are serious about leaving, it just means you are serious about finding out how much someone with your skill set is worth in the REAL world. You owe yourself this much.
- Create your banner ad. This is what goes on top of your resume but really should be what you’re telling people around town who ask you what you do. In other words, answer the following question: “What make me unique in today’s market?”
- Fact: your next job will not come from a friend or family member. True, they love you but unfortunately they will most likely not be the ones to help you find that next great gig. Start telling people whom you meet by networking that you are just putting your feelers out there and if they should hear of anything to please keep you in mind.
- Change your mindset. Wrap your head around where you really want to be. What is your new salary? Where is your new job? What new challenges will you take on? How will it lead to the next big thing?
Still not ready to take a step towards a new opportunity? Then consider this: If you continue to drink the Kool-aid at work, feeling comfortable and safe because everyone else is doing it and it feels good, will you still remain marketable in one, two or three years? If you’re not upping your A-game even in the slightest and your gut tells you that staying will actually hold you back career wise, then isn’t it time to go gutsy and slip into a new pair of shoes? (ahem, preferably red ones).
Comfortable + Safe (Today) = Risky + Less Marketable (Tomorrow)
In this unpredictable economy, I leave you with two words today: Be Uncomfortable.
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With love and lots of gutsiness,
Many thanks to NYU’s Womens Initiative Program for endorsing In Our Shoes this year!
