NYU Career Expert’s Tips Help Employees Become More Career Resilient During Current Recession

NEW YORK, March 24, 2009 - In today’s constantly evolving job market and turbulent economic times, techniques for recession proofing your career have never been more essential, even for those who are still employed.

Michele LoBianco. who teaches Recession Proofing Your Career at NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (www.scps.nyu.edu), is an expert in career transition, career change, and leadership development.

The current economic situation and job market has had a severe impact on many employees, those who have faced job loss as well as those still working. Times of uncertainty and change can be quite disorienting, and it is understandable that people feel apprehensive and are unsure about how to navigate the changing landscape, says Michele LoBianco.

LoBianco goes on to say, “While there are many things happening in the economy that are outside of your control, there are also many critical things that remain within your control, and focusing on these things are paramount to being prepared for the downturns in the economy and job market.”

Below, LoBianco offers four key ways to be successful and career resilient in any economy downturn–

• Re-assess and Define What’s Important – “While it is instinctive to move into a reactive mode during times of change,” LoBianco recommends people take the proper time to re-assess their current career path and skills. By viewing oneself as a “portfolio of skills,” one can expand their career choices going forward, brainstorm new career options, and more importantly, align them with work that plays to their strengths and preferences.

• Develop a Career Strategy and a Plan B – LoBianco suggests employees adopt a “free agent” mentality while maintaining commitment to the organization’s success. “In today’s new world of work, every employee — currently employed or not — must be prepared to have their employment contract end at a moment’s notice,” says LoBianco. By developing an overall career strategy and plan that includes contingency planning, employees will be ahead of the game should they be forced to leave their current employment.

• Continually Build and Maintain Strong Personal Relationships – Employees should take the time to establish and nurture strong professional relationships both internally and externally. LoBianco says, “Be a collaborator and team player with other professionals both internally and externally so that you have a strong, already established network of people to tap into when needed.”
• Invest in Your Own Career Development and Stay Current in Your Field/Industry – “It is important for every employee to take full responsibility for their career development by investing time and money to ensure their skills are up to date and leading edge,” says LoBianco. In addition, employees should seek out volunteer opportunities and take on leadership roles either within or outside their organization, and then apply what they have learned on the job in practical ways.

About Michele LoBianco

Michele LoBianco is an independent career consultant, coach and facilitator working in New York City specializing in Career Transition and Career Change. She has extensive experience working with Fortune 500 clients across industries, functions, and levels having worked with Right Management Consultants, one of the leading career transition services firms, for eight years. She currently works with clients at J.P. Morgan’s internal career services as well as with members of the CFA Institute in the United States and abroad.

She provides coaching on all phases of career transition and change including managing change, assessment/evaluation, formulating career strategy and plans, in-depth resume development, interviewing, negotiating and new culture assimilation. Michele also coaches business professionals on developing their leadership, presentation, and communication skills.

In 2007, Michele co-designed, and co-instructed a Career Coaching course for HR professionals enrolled in the HR Graduate Degree Program at New York University.

Michele holds an MBA in Organizational Behavior from Pace University, a BS in Marketing/Computer Science from Fordham University, and leverages 19 years of business and Big 4 consulting experience. She served as President of the New York Chapter of ACP International from 2004 through 2007.