5 Things You Should Do Before the Loss of Your IT Job

As the economic downturn continues the effect is obvious: thousands of Information Technology jobs have been lost with more downsizing expected as the new year progresses. As IT professionals we are all worried about the impact a possible job loss will have on our families, our careers and our futures.

There are several steps you should be taking, whether or not you are worried about the status of your employment, to prepare for the eventuality of a job loss. These are simple, common-sense recommendations that are too often taken for granted until we realize that the unthinkable has occurred.

1. Have an updated resume prepared. Obviously, the wrong time to work on your resume is immediately after the loss of your job. Emotions and anger can easily influence your critical thinking and writing skills and this can be reflected in your resume. The rush of panic to find a new job can impact the style and flow of information in your resume, as well. For these reasons you should be continually updating and polishing your resume to ensure it reflects the best of your abilities and personality. You should ask several trusted mentors or peers to review your resume and ask that they provide honest feedback. Remember that maintaining your resume is an ongoing process and there is always room for improvement.

2. Collect new quality references and verify existing references. Similar to the resume, the wrong time to seek out professional written or verbal references is immediately following the loss of your job. Start collecting professional references now. When you are embroiled in emotion it can negatively impact the tone in your voice as well as your writing. When requesting a reference you need to convey a professional and upbeat image to the person you are asking to supply the reference. If an explanation is warranted, let the prospective reference know that you are not actively seeking a new job but rather taking proactive steps to prepare in case a job loss occurs. This is also the time to reach out to past and current references to reaffirm their ability and willingness to provide a good reference on your behalf.

3. Reconnect with technical recruiters and contract firms. If you have used technical recruiters or recruiting/contract firms to find employment in the past it is important to reach out to these individuals early. While you may not want to submit your resume or begin a job search at this time you do want the recruiters to know your current status. New certifications or training, promotions or change in responsibility, and new hands-on experience are all examples of the important details you want to share. The goal here is to provide sufficient information so that when a new opportunity arises the recruiter or recruiting firm has you in mind due to your recent conversations.

4. Build your personal network. Now is the time to increase the size of your personal network. When seeking new employment your personal contacts can prove to be the key to returning to work. The larger your personal network the better the odds of obtaining quality leads and advanced word of new opportunities. Building your personal network takes work but is not a difficult task. Use popular sites such as LinkedIn and MyWorkster to find and connect with people you know. Seek out introductions to peers, managers and executives in your area through social events, professional gatherings and existing contacts. The key here is to get your name spoken within the important professional circles. If a job loss occurs your established professional contacts and network will become increasingly important in finding new employment.

5. Build bridges and mend fences. No matter what the circumstances it is never a good idea to degrade your relationships with peers or management-past or present. In tough economic times it becomes even more important to build quality relationships with the people you work with and work for. Keep in mind that many local IT communities are small and reputations follow you. The professionals that you work and interact with on a daily basis are likely to play some part in your future; whether it be a reference, a rumor, or a whisper the things that are said about you can impact your job search. Depending on your past relationships this can be a positive step in obtaining a new job or the reason you remain unemployed. Strive to remain above reproach in both your professional and personal lives, and always take the high road. With the flood of experienced technical personnel entering the job market you can’t afford to have a negative reputation accompanying you to the next job interview.

Preparing for the possible loss of employment is an important step towards a quick transition from job seeker to new employee status. Investing a little time and energy in following these recommendations can go a long way in helping to maintain your IT career.

Do you have other ideas and advice to prepare for a possible loss of employment? I’d like to hear from you. Mike Dailey is an Information Technology Consultant with over 16 years of experience in the design, integration, and management of complex computer network and information security solutions. He can be reached through his website and blog at http://www.daileymuse.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_L_Dailey