Survive and Thrive in the Recession
How to hold on to your job or move on after redundancy.

2009 will be remembered for many things, but one thing it will certainly be remembered for is how quickly a full-blown recession landed on our shores. In 2008, we were being assured of a ‘soft landing’ but almost overnight this became a hard thud – and we are still reeling. Horror stories of large scale job losses, bankruptcies and repossessions make chilling reading. The fallout has impacted everyone. We all know someone who has lost their job, whose business has gone to the wall, or whose house is in jeopardy.  Dinner party chat about astronomical house prices has been replaced by in-depth discussion of how long it will take to get out of negative equity.

So what to do? Well certainly not become consumed by the negative that’s for sure. For as sure as we are currently in recession, the inevitable upturn is just as assured. The question is how to remain calm and positive while we wait to turn the corner. And specifically how do you hang on to your job whilst those around you are losing theirs? Or how to survive life after redundancy if your job has already gone?

Did you know that the recession can improve your mood?
Much of our satisfaction with our jobs and with our lives in general comes from comparing ourselves with those close to us, our peers, our neighbours, our family our fiends. In times of affluence, where everyone seems to have a lot of disposable income, they can move jobs easily and for more money, it’s easy to become dissatisfied with what you have.  And you might give in to the temptation to focus on what you could have rather than making the most of what you actually have in the here and now. So, a buoyant economy can mean that people feel under pressure to earn a big salary to support buy a bigger house, when in fact you might be perfectly happy with what you have. This type of ‘status anxiety’ syndrome was very much in evidence in the boom years. Now many people are breathing a sigh of relief that they don’t have to change job for more money and are finding that they appreciate the job they have.

Forge alliances
The ability to build bridges and communicate clearly and transparently in times of crisis is a fine art. Good managers keep people updated with company news and are direct and honest about people level of job security. In order to become more valuable to your company, demonstrate how you can build bridges and forge alliances not just within your own team or department but further afield too. Challenging times demand creative and innovative thinking and problem solving. And the best way to solve problems is by knowing what questions to ask and who to ask them of? Think about who you can learn from at this time. And think about what skills and knowledge you have to share with others.

Use your initiative
Savvy entrepreneurs thrive in recessions because they spot opportunities and go for them. So maybe it’s time to become an intrapreneur (an entrepreneur within a company!) Take a clear and dispassionate look at your team and the business and pitch new business ideas or cost saving measures; Or volunteer for special projects or involvement with committees and steering groups; Being proactive in getting to know people beyond your team and department and across the organisation will also help you to spot a new business opportunity. Withstanding the pressures of the recessions involves consolidation and creativity and the more you know about your business (outside of your own function) and who the key players are the more you can use this information to your advantage. 

Be nice!
A negative work environment can often lead to mistrust and suspicion and even rudeness when the pressure gets too much so try the following with your colleagues. And remember that every act of kindness will come back to you in due course.  

• Foster mutually respectful and supportive relationships with your boss and colleagues
• Accept people’s individuality  - not everyone has to think, act and behave like you.
• Be assertive with others (being pleasantly direct) allows you to forge open and honest interactions. An example of assertive behavior allows you to ask for support without feeling disempowered or to say no without feeling guilty.
• Recognise and thank people for their contribution.
• Be kind and courteous in your dealings with others – even small gestures of kindness (bringing in cakes for the office on a Friday) make a big difference to the morale of your team
• Bigger gestures such as supporting a colleague’s career development, especially in challenging times, will never be forgotten.

Invest in yourself
Now is the time to review and reflect on your skill set. If you’ve been in the same organisation or career for a long time, you often take your skills and experience for granted. And remember if you undervalue yourself and what you have to offer, other will too. One thing I advise my clients to do on an annual basis is create or add to their professional profile. This entails highlighting and writing down your key successes and key contributions to projects and work activities over the past 12 months. Hopefully you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how industrious and you have been.

Approach this exercise as if you are going for a new job (maybe you are going for a new job)  so that you will present and promote your skills appropriately This exercise keeps your career strengths and achievements to the fore and instills you with a sense of confidence for when you are faced with a challenging situation at work such as taking on a new project or going for an internal promotion.

Find Yourself a Mentor:
Now is the time to engage the support of someone you trust and respect, whose opinion you value, and someone you are comfortable talking to. Your mentor may or may not work in the same company; they may have nothing at all to do with your line of work. What they will be is a good role model so choose someone whose career you admire and would like to emulate. They may be a family friend or relative or not close to you at all personally but a well respected colleague or boss. Mentors will not only provide you with good sounding board for your ideas, they will give you constructive feedback and maybe challenge some of your thinking. Most importantly, they will inspire you to be the best that you can be and build your sense of self-belief. 

Stay away from rumour mongers:
During difficult times, the rumour mill is very active. Rumour mills spread negative vibes and usually involve bad mouthing the organisation, your colleagues or your boss.  Being part of this rumour mill only increases the negative emotions and distances you from the decision makers. Be seen in the right crowd and remember that all that grows on the office grapevine is gossip. Smart employees know the first ones to go during difficult times are those that bad mouth the organizations.

What if you’ve lost your job?
If you have lost your job, you may be going through a range of emotions;
Shock  – the writing was on the wall but you never thought it would happen to YOU
Fear – how am I going to pay the bills?
Lethargy and demotivation – the job market is dead so how am I ever going to find a new job? Anger and betrayal – I was assured my job was safe, how could they have lied to me?
Shame – I’m unemployed - what will I say to my partner/family/friends?

There is an upside….
 These are all valid reactions to what can be a very stressful time. Bear in mind though that there are also a number of positive reactions to the news of being let go;

Relief – my job has been uncertain for the past year and that has been very worrying.
Resolve and resilience – this is a tough break for me but I’m strong and I can handle it;
Optimism – the job market is turbulent but if I work hard enough I will get another job.
Energy – I have never liked my job and always wanted to try something else – now is the time!

I have interviewed many senior managers on what makes them successful and what keeps them motivated and fulfilled. Many of them refer to situations where they overcame adversity and, became stronger as a result. Sometimes it takes a tough situation, that tests and challenges you, to highlight what it is you truly want and what it is you truly have to offer.

Up skill – and watch your career prospects grow
There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that now is the time to gain and develop new skills. In the past months I have met clients who are using this time of uncertainty and doubt to take a long hard look at what they really want to do with their career – whether it is going for increased responsibility and promotion in their current job (well someone has to take charge of all these re-structured and down-sized team and departments), to specialising in a particular aspect of their business. And although the outlook may be pretty gloomy at the moment, get ready for the upturn now by thinking about your career aspirations.  Do you want to move into management? Do you want to specialise? Make that a more achievable goal by getting that professional diploma or post graduate qualification that has been put on the back burner for the last few years under your belt.

Re-train – and find the job you love
For many people, the recession can act to clarify what they have always suspected; that they are simply in the wrong job. I have coached many people who have used their redundancy package to finance re-training in a completely different area. A lawyer who is going back to study biology. A trainer who is becoming a psychologist. A beautician who is applying for teaching college. And although it is daunting starting afresh, they all feel a great sense of excitement and relief at finally pursuing what they really want. And if you’re not quite sure what it is you really want to do, you can dip your toe in the water and try out a new direction for size. Choose a short course (6 to 10 weeks) and see if you like what’s on offer before embarking on a more long term option.       

The Value of Learning
Ireland has a world class reputation when it comes to education and access to education in the capital has never been easier. Whatever your circumstances, there is a learning solution there for you. The range of courses available in this guide is mouth-watering. You can choose a course at any level,  diploma, degree and post-grad; you can study full-time or part-time and wherever you live, you are guaranteed that there is a college near you.  You can even study from the comfort of your own home and choose from the many on-line options.  And as well as the many thousands of courses available to you to help you to enhance and energise your career – there are a similar number available just for the pure enjoyment of learning. Whichever course you choose, and there is clearly something for everybody. In my fifteen years working as a careers specialist, I have never met anybody who has regretted doing a course of any type, I have only met people who regretted NOT doing so.

Mind yourself
With what seems like constant exposure to bad news, and the threat of job loss and / or financial insecurity hanging over you, it’s important to keep healthy in mind and body. Talk to family and friends if you are overly concerned about your own situation or how someone close to you is doing.  Look after your diet, take regular exercise and try and get good quality sleep. Think about taking up something for the pure enjoyment of it or just to get out of the house and meet new people.

Conclusion
There is no doubt that a recession can be a challenging and stressful time. But let’s not forget that it also brings a happy ending to many people – those people who would have stayed in dull and unfulfilling jobs are instead pursuing their dream job; those who will use this time to develop themselves through training and education; those who will use this time to take a well deserved break and those  who will discover in themselves their true strengths and vocations.

Sophie Rowan is an Occupational Psychologist and author of bestseller ‘Happy at Work’. She works with Pinpoint, providing tailored programmes in Career Management, Coaching and Workplace Well-being for individuals and companies.

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