These are uncertain times, and let’s be clear, that’s about as understated a way to say it as there is. More bluntly – and, journalistically, more truthfully, accurately, and appropriately – these are troubled times, chaotic times. turbulent times, dangerous times. Unprecedented times.
Armed conflict and war proliferate, extremist anarchists are poised to take over and dismantle long-standing governments, heads of state are behaving like unfettered thugs, previously eliminated contagious diseases are reappearing as outbreaks, national education and healthcare systems are being undermined, startling mass layoffs are changing the makeup of the Employee Situation Survey all by themselves – and as fast as we’ve ever seen, a corporate CEO is gunned down in the street and others are now threatened, humanitarian aid to the world’s neediest people is being cut off, and the world’s energy supply seems suddenly vulnerable. Seismic shocks are all around us daily, some predictable, some, well, shocking.
Stock market and job market are nervous
Is it any wonder the stock market has taken significant hits of late? Wall Street doesn’t like this. And when Wall Street ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.
But what worries me more – there are other investment opportunities, after all – is the impending doom – the Sword of Damocles – hanging over the American job market, that masterpiece of a market that took only four years to become the strongest, highest performing, harmonious job market in American history.
This Career Coach’s Perspective
As an independent career coach and job market observer for 28 years, I’ve coached thousands of clients through three recessions, one pandemic, and recoveries from each. Before that, I was a member of the workforce that weathered five recessions. I have an unusual perspective on this, and trust me, I know a recession or job market downturn when I see one coming. If things continue as they are, we must brace ourselves; this one has the makings of being no walk in the park – and it will be global.
So what to do?
Let’s start with the premise that in times of uncertainty, the only thing of which you can be certain is yourself. There is a big implication here, namely, when the job market is so good that it almost defies logic as well as some basic laws of economics, it’s a forgiving place and you can factor in a little good fortune along with your hard work and focus, but when it’s headed for – or in – a recession, it’s all on you. You can count on no one or nothing but yourself. That’s cold and hard, but unassailably true.
And that’s where we are right now.
“Tucked up and ready for a start.”
As such, I turn, as I always do, to Henry David Thoreau’s eternal wisdom: “You must live within yourself, and depend upon yourself always tucked up and ready for a start.” Quite out of context but right on target, Thoreau would have made a great career coach, and what he’d advise is to get your “five tools” up to date and in prime operating condition: (1) resume or CV and online profiles, (2) interviewing strategies, (3) career planning, (4) job search strategies and plans, and (5) networking.
He’d insist on two more points of readiness: (1) As anything can happen at any time, you’re better off prepared than trying to catch up, and (2) Identify and hire a professional career coach; this is no time to be a solo hero, and this next job market chapter promises to be more than you’d want to deal with on your own. ”
Tucked up and ready for a start.” Don’t you just love that image?