Five steps to a recession proof career

an article by Jan Reuter (Based at Adaptable Careers, Ladysmith, Canada) published in Industrial and Commercial Training Volume 45 Issue 1 (2013)

Abstract

Purpose
Would you like to take control of your career so that you are not at the whim of the employer or the economy? The aim of this paper is to learn how to apply successful small business strategies to your career so that you are in charge.

Design/methodology/approach
Learn how to apply successful small business strategies to your career so that you are in charge. This article will help you to look at your career through the lens of an entrepreneur taking a product to market – in this case the product is you! The five steps include:

• assessing the strengths, capabilities and skills of your product;
• reviewing what the market wants;
• analysing the gaps between your product and what the market wants;
• planning the further development of your product; and
• marketing your product.

Findings
As of July 9 the author is launching a survey to gather success stories of how people have recession proofed their careers. However at the time of this writing the findings from that survey are not available.

Practical implications
These practical steps are easy to apply and can give your career the boost it needs in these uncertain economic times.

Originality/value
While many authors have given the advice to either treat your career as a business or to be the Chief Executive Officer of your career, “Five steps to a recession proof career” provides practical advice on how to actually achieve that goal.

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