The articles seem to be everywhere - IT Jobs Shrinking! US Jobs
disappearing!
Sooner or later, you'll start to see articles about which is the
lesser of two evils - to take a new job at lower pay and hope for
advancement, or to be unemployed. If you've been in transition or
are in danger of being right-sized, even a lower paying position
may start to look good. Like most complex questions, there is no
one-size-fits-all answer.
Some things to consider:
- Do you have a clear vision of where
you want to end up in your career? If you don't know where
you want to end up, you risk being pulled along by the
dollars. Both you and the prospective employer are looking
only at salary as your primary decision criteria. The danger
here is that you become a commodity, the lowest bidder wins
the job. If you have a strategic plan for your career you are
more attractive to the employer. You stand out from the crowd.
Don't know how to get strategic? Research on the web or read
books. This is a place where investing in professional help
from a coach or mentor can be a very wise and cost effective
decision.
- Do you know if you even want to stay
in the same career or industry? If you're in transition
anyway, why not broaden your scope and ask what else is
calling to you? Is there a dream you put away years ago? Some
Job Services programs have money available for additional
skills training. If you're not sure what careers your
temperament and training are suited for, there are a number of
assessments that will help clarify your options, especially in
the hands of a skilled coach or psychologist.
- Do you know what you want, besides a
job, any job? Yes, you're probably tired of high-flown
discussions about finding your perfect job and following your
bliss; especially if you've been in transition for a while. If
positions like your last or current job look like they're
being outsourced or right-sized on a wholesale basis, what
skills would make you immune? What positions are still valued
in your industry and being kept onshore? If you don't know,
how can you find out? Again, research and professional help
are the name of the game.
- Are you using your network and
polishing your skills to use it even more effectively?
There are dozens of books and articles on networking. More
than seventy percent of jobs are found through unofficial,
unpublished sources. There is no question that this is the
smartest path for your job search. Use it.
- What are you willing to give up in
exchange for the position and its lower salary? Do you
know your bottom line? Successful negotiators know what they
are willing to sacrifice and where they are willing to
compromise. Know this before you begin compensation
discussions, or you will never know if you've won. You're also
far more likely to leave substantial money on the table if you
skip this important step. Be clear on the trade offs. If
negotiating, interviewing or networking are not your greatest
strengths (or possibly your personal concept of hell), invest
in yourself and your job search. Sometimes a few lessons or
coaching sessions can make thousands of dollars difference in
your job offer.
The bottom line - when people learn you're in
transition, everyone becomes an expert. Well meaning friends and
family are eager to share their wisdom. People whose last
interview was in 1982 suddenly know every move you should make and
are glad to second guess every step you take. The job search
process is teeming with complex questions and life-altering
decisions. You deserve to invest in professional support. By
Pat Schuler
|