Our homes, cars, health, and lives — we insure the things that are most valuable to us. Why would your job be any different?
Of course, you’re not going to take out an insurance policy on your job — what company would sell that to you, right? Nor is there ever a way to 100 percent guarantee you’ll never be out of work again. However, you can take steps to ensure your job is as safe as possible. And while you may have to shell out big bucks to insure your car or house, insuring your job costs nothing more than time and thought.
Here are five simple steps you can take (beyond simply doing your job well) to help insure your career:
- Strategize
Take just 15 minutes a week to think about your current career path, where you want it to go and if the steps you’re currently taking will get you there. Make this kind of strategic thinking a habit so you can stay on track toward your ultimate goals.
- Plot your course.
Where is your current job going? Is it eventually going to lead you to a job elsewhere that will advance your career? Or is it leading to a promotion at your current company? Use your Forty-Year Vision® to help you plot the course your career will take.
- Stay abreast of what’s going on in the marketplace.
The “marketplace” in question may be your company, your department, the industry, or a new geographic area or discipline. Knowing what’s happening in the market, what the trends are, and who the key players are is critical to being visible. That visibility will be valuable when the time comes to take the next step in your career.
- Always be positive.
Even if you’re merely indifferent to your job or career, that indifference can come across as negativity. Your career should be a source of satisfaction, not just income. If you find you’re not enjoying your job or career path, it’s time to take another look at your Forty-Year Vision® and determine if your dissatisfaction is because you’re not living up to your vision.
- Get professional help.
When you were job hunting, did you get help from a career coach from GetFive? Good for you — you likely got a job faster because of it. But a career coach’s value doesn’t end after you’ve accepted the offer. Ongoing sessions with a career coach can help ensure you’re on track and taking steps toward your long-term career goals. What’s more, career coaches can provide valuable insight into your current job situation and serve as a sounding board for your vision and strategies.
Job insurance isn’t just about job security, it’s about building career security. When you insure your job against disruptions, you have a better chance of making your next career move based on strategy and certainty — rather than as a reaction to an unexpected job loss.
