Identifying growth industries, positive trends and hot jobs are only part of a strategic career management process that will help you weather a slowdown in the economy. What are some ways to take control of your career when the economic outlook is weakening or uncertain?

1. Quietly and confidently communicate your value and contributions.
"Recession-proof your job by making sure that others, above and below, know about your recent achievements," is the advice offered on the website of outplacement firm, Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. When individuals demonstrate their capabilities, they signal willingness to take on additional or new responsibilities, or fill in a gap. Doing this quietly is key. The last thing they want to do is instigate ill will and an unhealthy competitive climate among co-workers, causing more problems for the manager. If employees are not already working to capacity, they better get moving.

2. Expand your network.
Like the other suggestions in this article, marketing oneself is one of the basic Career Literacy skills needed to successfully navigate today's work environment. The more individuals are connected to a broader community beyond their departments or companies, the more resilient they will be in their careers.
Smart moves include being strategic in seeking connections with others, where they give thought to whom they should get to know based on their career goals. These people will be the first to hear about new opportunities through their network as the business slowdown begins to reverse. Social networking websites for professionals such as LinkedIn.com provide an easy infrastructure for individuals to find each other, keep in touch, and share information, job opportunities, and prospects for new business that benefit their current employment situation.

3. Lay the foundation for a move to a new career that offers more growth and opportunity.
Making great career choices always begins with in-depth self-knowledge. Before individuals decide to pursue a new occupation, they are wise to minimize the risk by gauging how well that job and work environment aligns with their natural talents, interests, personality and values. They conduct informational interviews with individuals who are doing the kind of work in which they are interested. These planful career managers set up a job shadowing day with these same individuals, spending a day with them on the job observing what they do and "trying on" the work environment. This is a good time to find out educational or training requirements, and begin taking classes. Career changes take time.

4. Maintain a positive, optimistic attitude in the face of adversity.
Most people call this "personal character" and it sets individuals apart from the crowd. In work environments where budgets are tight, business is declining, and employees are concerned about their jobs, savvy career managers learn to see the silver linings in a stormy situation. They see their role as part of the solution rather than part of the problem. They know that business is cyclical, and "this too shall pass." When it does, they are ready.

© Copyright 2008, The Ball Foundation/Career Vision. Article used with permission. Career Vision is a career assessment and consulting organization dedicated to helping people attain success and satisfaction in their work lives. For more information go to http://www.careervision.org/consulting/taking_next_step.htm.

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Success Stories: I Changed Careers
Today's economy has compelled job seekers to do some crazy things: standing on street corners wearing billboards advertising their unemployment, sending gifts to hiring managers, applying down for entry-level positions, or even switching careers entirely.

But you know what's really crazy? None of those things are that crazy at all. In fact, each of those things is a pretty smart move -- especially the latter.

What to Do When You're Labeled 'Overqualified'
Sherry Shealy Martschink, 57, is a former state legislator, state senator and worker's compensation commissioner for South Carolina. She's a recent law school graduate and has experience in journalism, marketing and education. For the past few years during her job search, she's been told -- in not so many words -- that she's overqualified.

Why You Should Make Your Boss Look Good
In the middle of a recession, the average worker is probably more focused on doing whatever's necessary to stay employed. Not showing up late, getting all your work done, bringing new ideas to the table and not making any major errors. Basically, not giving your boss a reason to fire you.

As good as those strategies are, they don't take into account the one person whose opinion really counts: the boss.

Do You Have What It Takes to Change Industries?
While making a change across industries can be difficult and sometimes daunting, job seekers are forced to look for work elsewhere as more and more sectors lose jobs each month.

Coping with a Job You Hate
Here's the bottom line: You have to get a job, you have to go to work and someday, you'll probably have to change jobs. "CAREER BUILDING: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work" (Collins Business) is a one-stop guide for navigating all those times in your career.

Are You Stuck in Job Prison?
10 ways to live with a job you can't escape

Emerging Career Fields
Keeping your eye on trends is a smart career management practice. New technology, business practices, laws or changes in the global economy create needs for new or evolving occupations and career specialties.

How to Make a Comeback in the Work Force
Though many workers want to make a transition back to the work force for various reasons, many don't know exactly how to do it.

The Full-Time Job of Finding a Job
Today's job hunt is a combination of old-fashioned footwork, online brand building and reaching out to the right people, as Debbie Withers has learned.

Advice for Workers of Every Age, at Every Stage
Your career isn't exactly like having a significant other, but some of the same rules apply. Coasting through your professional life without asking any questions of yourself or taking into account your ambitions can limit what you achieve.

7 Recession-Resistant Industries in an Economic Downturn
Going into 2009, what seven industries will likely see sustained, or even increasing, demand?

5 Factors to Consider Before Relocating
In an ideal job market, you would find the job of your dreams right under your nose. You'd have a hefty paycheck, great benefits, flexibility and you'd wake up every day loving the work you do. The reality is even after all of your efforts, the jobs you find may fall short of meeting all of the criteria to be the right opportunity for you.

People in such situations may never come across their dream job because they've limited themselves in the job market. They've narrowed their search to local job openings and have no idea that their dream job is actually in another city or state. Many people, however, would be willing to pursue those opportunities if they were aware of them.

4 Steps to Getting Started in a New Career
Every month we receive a variety of questions from people asking us how to get started in their dream career. We don't normally respond to "How do I get started in ..." questions because we don't think we can provide a complete answer in only a few sentences. However, we can provide the following basic four-step overview of the process for getting started in a new career:

Is Your Job Recession-Proof?
Though it's difficult to predict exactly how the year will pan out, weak job growth, a slowing economy and troubled housing markets all point to signs of an economic recession. The good news for job seekers is that employers are still hiring and certain industries will survive (even thrive) during hard times.

4 Smart Moves When the Economy Slows
What are some ways to take control of your career when the economic outlook is weakening or uncertain?

Job Searching in a Recession
If you are getting ready for a job search during troubled times, here are some tips from the experts.

Can Your Favorite Color Determine Your Perfect Job?
Do you ever wish finding the perfect job could be as easy as 1, 2, 3? According to new research, it might be as easy as red, yellow or blue.



Top 5 Things to Consider When Looking for a New Job
Few people are exactly alike when determining what makes them happy at work, but there are some key drivers of job satisfaction. The following article helps you identify those factors and provides you with direction in making the decision to change careers.

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