Your Career in 2010

In year’s past we’ve written articles about how to do career assessments at the end of the year and make plans for your career development during the next 12 months.  This year, it’s not so simple.  During 2009, people were not as concerned with whether they were being fairly compensation and properly stimulated by their jobs – they were just happy to HAVE a job.  That is beginning to change. 

Companies still have the upper hand in salary negotiations since there are so many talented people still in the job market, but at some point, that will change, and employees will start demanding the raises that have been put off in some cases for more than 18 months.  Employees are mostly are treading very lightly and still don’t want to rock the boat.  But don’t be fooled by the news headlines, there are definitely companies that are hiring out there.  It’s the perfect time to do a career assessment and set up a strategic career plan for 2010.

Here are some questions you should be asking yourself:

  • Have I been staying at my job because I didn’t think there were any other opportunities out there?
  • Even though my salary may not have increased, have I been provided with opportunities to learn new skills and take on new challenges?
  • Do I feel like my company will compensate me for all my efforts during this downturn when it is financially able to do so?
  • Do I want to stay in the industry that I’m in right now?
  • Is my network strong enough right now?
  • If I wanted to find a new position right now, would my current skillset make me competitive enough?

If you are reasonably sure that your company has been struggling financially but is willing to offer learning opportunities to employees, take advantage of this and talk to your boss about what areas you can expand your knowledge base.  When things do pick up, your company will appreciate your teamwork and interest in developing yourself.   Many companies are just hunkering down and trying to survive and really wish they could offer their employee more by way of compensation.  It’s the employees that show initiative and teamwork that will be rewarded when things come back.  Not to mention if your company is still cutting back, showing initiative could secure your position even more.

If you do not feel that your long term career prospects with your current company are what they should be, start planning now.  Even in a strong economy, mid and management level job searches can take six months to find the right one.  If you put some effort into learning the skills you need to know now, when things pick up, you will be in a stronger position against the competition, which will also be fleeing positions they have felt trapped in for the past two years. 

Think about where you want to be in six months.  Start networking.  Make contacts now and help people connect with each other so that a few months from now, when you are looking, your network is actively buzzing.  And don’t forget, there are definitely companies hiring now, so if your current situation is hurting your career development, contact your recruiter and discuss your goals.