Industries rise and fall according to somewhat predictable business cycles. History is full of technologies and concepts that were once state of the art and now have disappeared or diminished from the modern economy like the dodo bird! The current economy is obviously an example of the struggling credit industry and its ramifications on the housing market and more. Of course, credit and housing will cycle back, but it’s not well predicted as to just how quickly. Some industries become archaic and never return.
Each of you as working professionals need to think beyond what you have traditionally defined as “your industry” and start to think of your transferable skill sets from industry to industry. You’ll start to realize how broad your marketability can be. When you do the research, you’ll see that entirely separate industries have elements of common “symptoms” and “ways of doing business” that will provide hints to the paths you could consider taking next in your career.
In my 25 years of helping people and companies to make great matches, I have never before seen so many people who have found themselves negatively left behind in a changing economy. If the writing is on the wall, read it. If the fat lady’s singing, listen. Don’t take the blood bath. Shall I continue with endless prattle in my attempt to tell you to take action? Step forward with an aggressive action plan for career remarketing when your industry shifts. Then you’ll transition to the next appropriate growth phase that serves your career. There will be a new and beneficial fit if you proactively seek it.
Susan Reynolds is a senior partner at NewMarket Careers in Santa Clarita, a job search and career strategy firm geared toward managerial, executive and senior level professional careers.
For more information, please call 661-702-1345 or email sreynolds@newmarketcareers.com .