| Every time you open a newspaper nowadays, the | | | | you may be safer than most. |
| first thing you see is the current fear of a recession, | | | | 4. Make yourself indispensable: Be ready to take on |
| the credit crunch, the banking crisis and the difficult | | | | new tasks even over and above your usual activities. |
| days ahead with a downturn of the economy. It | | | | Volunteering to take on new tasks helps in making |
| seems obvious that there will be cost cutting | | | | you indispensable as a person who can undertake |
| measures within some organizations, which in turn | | | | any activity happily. That will help list you out as an |
| triggers fears of downsizing. Keeping this in mind, it is | | | | important team member not worth losing. Find ways |
| better to credit crunch proof your career when there | | | | to contribute innovatively to your company. Be an |
| is still time. Even if your company is not affected | | | | active team player. |
| right now, it is necessary that you build up a strategy | | | | 5. Start networking: It helps having a good supportive |
| to safeguard yourself. There are no magic answers | | | | network. Keep in touch with former colleagues in |
| or sure shot solutions but these tactics can help to | | | | other organizations, you previous bosses etc., which |
| give you confidence and an added edge. | | | | can help you find other job opportunities whenever |
| 1. Update your skills and learn new skills: Now is the | | | | the need arises. Be equally helpful to your contact as |
| time to invest more in yourself. Update your skills in | | | | far as possible, as then only can you expect them to |
| your current areas of work. Similarly, learn new skills | | | | return the favor. |
| like IT skills. You may take up new courses or | | | | 6. Plan your finances carefully: Building up your financial |
| trainings that will enhance your resume and can prove | | | | reserves is necessary. Even if you may be given a |
| to be helpful not just in your current job but also any | | | | redundancy package it may take some time to |
| new opportunities if the need be. | | | | come. If you have some financial reserve to last you |
| 2. Target your resume for specific jobs: Design and | | | | at least 6 months, you would not go deeper in the |
| develop a resume that is fully targeted for a specific | | | | trough. Plan you finances carefully with your current |
| job that you are applying for. It should not be a | | | | job at hand. |
| generic list of your qualifications and experience. If | | | | 7. Don't hide: Do not make yourself invisible, |
| you are unable to do so yourself, invest some time in | | | | considering that you would not get axed because of |
| learning this skill. Only a professionally targeted | | | | it. Get up and prove yourself so that you become a |
| resume can take you further to an interview level. | | | | bit safer. Your clients and boss need to see results |
| Your resume should stand out from the rest and | | | | now. Try to solve immediate needs. |
| should be appealing enough to the employers. | | | | You can credit crunch proof your career by taking |
| 3.Get yourself noticed: At your current job, take | | | | some wise decisions and making the effort to |
| efforts to be noticed. Make sure your boss is aware | | | | enhance your skills. Be alert and positive and work |
| of your achievements. If you are given an | | | | hard to get yourself in a better position during these |
| opportunity for a new role and responsibility, take it | | | | difficult times. |
| up. If you are involved in a very important project, | | | | |