Given the current economic situation there is no better time to start to organize your brand. While in a perfect world you would not be reacting to the changes instead you would already have a strong brand, but in case you are getting a late start here are a few things that will help you recession proof your brand.
- Graduate schooling: While this may not be the best time to spend large amounts of money and loans are scarce you are more appealing to employers with higher education. At the end of your 4 years of schooling, more education is probably the last thing you will be thinking about but it is something you should consider. Your starting salary on average will be higher and you will spend less time looking for a job and more time working.
- Tap into your network. Start talking to more people within your niche. Each niche has specific quirks to how it deals with economic tough times. Some are more susceptible to changes than others. You will have better luck in numbers. If your partners are attending events and what not, so should you.
- Polish the resume. Those companies who are hiring are getting a large amount of applicants. You need a resume that will set yourself apart.
- Be innovative. Keep in mind that trouble economic times is really synonymous with ample opportunity to stand out and be different. There are more opportunities for you to show off what you are doing when everyone is struggling than when everyone is achieving at such a high level.
- Pick up new talents. The days of doing just one thing are gone. You need to diversify your skills. Take a few extra classes, try to learn something new. The more you know how to do the more attractive you are as a potential employee. In the event that a company needs to downsize, a person that is a good worker and has skills that can be tweaked is more likely to be held on to. Someone that can take on additional work, and can do many jobs is more flexible and easily shifted within a company rather than out of a company.
- Author: RJ Sherman
