How To Re-Tool During Times of Crisis

BY MICHAEL SICURANZA

With the social distancing as the new norm and the economy on shaky ground at best, it seems like the absolute worst time to think about a career change.  Yes, it’s true that jobs are hard to come by right now, but you can use this time to prepare yourself for better times.  Here are some tips that could prepare you for the launching of the next chapter of your career/life.

Create/Update Your Resume

This is the old standby but having an updated modern resume is still a key thing that employers look for. There are lots of online services that can help you create a resume and cover letter.

Create/Update a LinkedIn profile

Many people are on social media, but a lot of the time it is to be social. Social media has become a powerful business tool to help you find your next career or job. A LinkedIn profile, in my opinion, is a necessity in the new job market.

A LinkedIn profile becomes your living resume and a reflection of your current job and skill status. Plus, LinkedIn is a great way to network with individuals and companies who can help you further your career or even hire you.

Here are some key things to feature on your profile and some helpful tips

  • Use a professional photo for your profile, but one that also shows your personality

  • Write a compelling summary of your skill sets, including the people you serve and a vision of how you work

  • Fill out your entire profile

  • Pay for a premium subscription—it’s worth the cost for the additional networking features

  • Search for job openings and individuals you know who can introduce you to the decision makers for a potential new job

  • Connect with people who know you and respect you. Ask for help and guidance on how to find potential opportunities

  • Write about topics you know from your work experience to demonstrate expertise or value

Put some cash reserve to work for continuing education and retraining

As part of your personal budget, earmark some funds you can tap to increase your skills for a promotion in your current role or to develop new skills if you want to change careers.

Changing careers is becoming an integral part of the retirement planning process for many people. There are lots of pre-retirees who don’t want to stop working but would like to “retire” from their current job and begin something new and different.

But with so many people out of work, budgets are already tight, see my financial triage blog.  With industry conferences and even universities currently being shut down, we need to look to online resources to enhance our marketability as employees.  There are a bunch of low cost and no cost ways to continue to gain and develop skills.  Here are a few examples:

  • www.udemy.com – a very low-cost way to take classes in basic level skills to project management.

  • Many universities have free classes online for non-credit.  Most forward looking employers are looking for skills and not degrees.  So, spend your time acquiring skills.  Look at Coursera and Moochs.  Some of these courses are offered by MIT and Harvard.

  • Spend time learning software packages pertaining to your career or future career of choice.  Many software companies will allow free trials of their software.  Sign up and learn everything you can about that specific package.

  • Youtube – it’s more than just watching cat videos and Game of Thrones fan theories.  The amount of useable content to enhance or develop skills is infinite.  A great free resource.

Even during the most difficult and dark times opportunities arise, Affinity Wealth Management wants to make sure that you are ready for when the clouds lift.  Let us know what tools you have used to make changes in careers and enhance skill sets.

Michael Sicuranza