Make the move to a stronger industry

How your strong points can make you more money during a recession

By Michelle Dunn
NH Mirror Contributor

How is the economy affecting you and your job? Are you afraid you may lose your job because of the credit crisis and impending recession? Now is the time to identify your strong points and work on them to become stronger and more valuable in your industry. You must have qualifications and skills that landed you your current job. First, identify some of your strong points that have made you successful.

Education.
You invested in your education to get the job you have. Now is the time to continue to educate yourself to become more valuable to your employer. Read books, trade magazines, visit Web sites, attend seminars, webinars and networking events. Keep up to date on what is happening in your industry.

Networking.
Now is the time to network more than ever – online and offline. Networking will keep you and your company in everyone’s mind, and if you do end up losing your job you will have a slew of business cards and contacts you can get in touch with for new job opportunities.

Specializing.
Become more specialized in your industry. This gives you a lead over others who don’t continue to grow or have too broad of a reach. When you specialize in something, you make yourself more valuable to your employer.

Some industries are heading into a downward spiral, while others are heating up as the economy falters. Can you cross-train or move from your current job into an industry that is booming using the strong points that have made you successful and apply them to a new job in one of these industries?

Some industries that slow down during a recession can include daycare, construction, auto sales, real estate agencies and landscaping.

Industries that heat up during a recession include things such as debt collection; credit management; vices – such as tobacco; security or alarm services; warehouse clubs; life insurance; energy and utilities; bookkeeping; accounting; health care; auto repair; funeral homes and services; and lawyers.

Think about how you can relate to an industry that may have more business as the economy worsens. For example, if you work in auto sales and would like to move to a job that may be in an upward cycle, consider using your sales skills to work in the security or alarm industry or maybe a life insurance company. Use your strong points as your key in moving to another industry.

Once you have decided where you want to move, read all you can about that industry. You may already have sales skills, but how much do you know about selling cars or insurance? Join networking groups and listen to what others in the industry discuss. The more specific you are within that industry, the more valuable you will be to a potential employer.

Michelle Dunn is the founder and president of Never Dunn Publishing, LLC and Credit & Collections Association. For more information, visit www.BizCreditPolicy.com or www.michelledunn.com.