Many of you responded with fears for your own job, your children’s future, and questions about the economy. Several of you were self-employed, and concerned about what the new year will bring. Kathy S. said:

“I have a bookkeeping business that I run from home. I have 5 clients two of which are construction. My business has declined by 40% because the construction clients are not working.”

Kathy’s comment was a good example of how interconnected we all are. When we hear of an industry that is doing poorly, it begins to affect other companies and industries down the line. Even if our business is doing well at the moment, you never know how that can change due to troubles in other areas.

Cara reiterated this thought by saying:

“I am a communications consultant who works from home and while I currently have solid employment, I’m worried about where to find my next project.”

Certain areas tend to decline first in a poor economy. As our reader Teresa G. put it:

“I have concerns about being kicked off my team at work. People are just not spending money on luxury items which is what we sell. I don’t blame them with the cost of food and gas being so high.”

Quite a few comments we received were not about finding work, but about finding quality work. It can easy to find a job – but will it pay enough? Offer enough opportunities? Our reader Dave said:

“I lost my full time job almost two months ago and immediately set out to find part time work. It didn’t take too long to find something, but the pay is so low I would actually make more money if I had stayed on unemployment. But I’d rather be working, even though I am losing out on money. I hope the economy picks up soon, and perhaps I will be able to return to my old job.”

Sito brought up the issue of “underemployment“:

“I was laid off and took several “underemployed” positions to help work through. This actually hurts, since potential employers see it as a lack of ambition when, in fact, it was the opposite. I didn’t want to collect unemployment and do nothing.”

Several of you said you had been laid off, and worried about things getting worse. Still others wondered how secure their jobs will be in the next few months. Many of you showed concerns for your kids. Our kids need our guidance and with a changing economy like this it can be hard to give them direction. Anne said:

“I worry about my children, who are young and finishing their high school education. What direction should they go in? Where will jobs be?”

Quite a few folks commented that with any down cycle, an up cycle is around the corner. An optimistic yet pragmatic approach is always a great strategy. Many of you talked about faith and in knowing that whatever happens, you will stay strong and deal with it. Isaak’s comment echoed many others:

“I recently relocated to Adelaide, Australia from Singapore. And it has been a little tough looking for work as the job market is a little soft at the moment. I’ve spoken to some recruitment agencies and even they say the market is weak at the moment. But I’m sure things will look up in the new year.”

I hope you’re right, Isaak. Thanks to everyone who commented. I wish you all great opportunities in 2009!

Post from: Blisstree

Readers Share Fears and Hopes for Economy

Thanks to everyone who left responses for the contest. I’ll be sharing some of those with all of you very soon.

Post from: Blisstree

Winner of Bulletproof Your Job

To win a copy of Bulletproof Your Job, leave a comment on this post with a concern, comment, or opinion you have about the economy, job hunting, or concerns you have about your job for the upcoming year.

Leave your comment by Sunday, January 18th. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the lucky guy or gal the next day. Good luck!

Post from: Blisstree

Win a Copy of Bulletproof Your Job

I’m thrilled to introduce Stephen Viscusi, author of the bestselling Bulletproof Your Job: 4 Simple Strategies to Ride Out the Rough Times and Come Out on Top at Work.

We are already fans of Stephen’s book and have talked about it in a previous post here at Career and Kids. His advice is especially pertinent to our changing economy today. He has been a featured guest on programs such as The Tyra Banks Show, Inside Edition, and Good Morning America.

Stephen has not only generously agreed to an exclusive interview here but is also giving away a copy of his book for one lucky reader.

For now, enjoy this interview with Stephen Viscusi:

Tell us about your book, Bulletproof Your Job: 4 Simple Strategies to Ride Out the Rough Times and Come Out on Top at Work. How did you come to write it?

I wrote the book in 45 days, and sent it to 6 publishers. All six wanted to buy the book. One of my criteria was that I would write it in 45 days, and it had to be in book stores by Labor Day.

I wrote the book last May in 2008 after doing the NPR Radio Show on how to “recession-proof” your job. I got over 5000 emails in response to that show appearance. Clearly, I saw the handwriting on the wall in terms of people losing their jobs.

My decision to write it was based on remembering the 1991 recession, and recognizing that whenever the word “recession” was used in terms of state of the economy, it became a blank check for employers to fire employees subjectively, regardless of performance or merit.

Included in this book are secret tips to bulletproofing your job, and staying ahead of the firing curve.

Your book has received some really great reviews, including those from Newsweek and Time Magazine. What do you hope readers will come away with after reading it?

People come away with realizing that although unemployment may rise as high as 8%, that still means 92% of people ARE employed. Yes, people may be fired, but the tips and secrets in this book may prevent you from being one of the ones who are actually fired. You will learn on how to be stay part of 92% and not one of the 8%.

The Washington Post refers to my book as “Mommy meets Machiavelli.” I think it’s universally appealing, because my strategies can help save your job, maybe save your life.

The book, by the way, is published in 12 countries including China and Korea.

Your background is as a headhunter and you used this experience to help start www.BulletproofYourResume.com. Tell us what makes a great resume? What components must be present and what are some common mistakes?

A great resume will essentially mimic the company and the position they are applying to. But remember, people hire people–not resumes.

The one thing that sets the difference in www.BulletproofYourResume.com is that people who buy my resume re-writing service will also get 30 min of my personal time.

Believe it or not, people need 25 different types of resumes. Sometimes resumes are read electronically, and they need to have the “key words” that are picked up for a particular position, and perhaps even use the vernacular that is on the website of the company you’re applying for. That is the secret.

What is one thing the readers of Career and Kids can do right now to help them bulletproof their jobs?

Let your boss get to know you “as a person”. The hiring interview legally sterilizes who you are. In particular, let them know you have kids and how many. Even the meanest boss hates to fire. But, it’s easier to fire someone you don’t’ know anything about, or the person he/she thinks doesn’t’ need or appreciate their job. Telecommuting? I wouldn’t be. Out of sight means out of mind.

What do you think the workplace will look like in five years?

I think the workplace will be more global, more technology driven, but work will always remain the same in this way–work is not a democracy. People need to understand that keeping the job is based on the relationship you have with your boss.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Last but not least, of course, I think it’s really important for everyone to remember, that even if unemployment rises, the majority of Americans will continue to be employed. The secret is to keep the job you have. As I’ve said before, during times of recession gives your employer a blank check to fire subjectively. You need to emotionally accept the reality that bosses keep people that they like, and fire the ones they don’t. It’s not as performance based as it should be in a recession.

Everything will change after the election. Elections don’t change the economy, and they don’t change the unemployment rate. Elections can help you keep your job, that’s why I wrote this book, Bulletproof Your Job. Readers of my book continue to tell me that these strategies have helped them keep their job.

Finally, I’m a huge supporter and believer that the workplace is one of the best places to meet your mate. Husband/wife/whatever. It’s better than any online dating service. For starters, you obviously have a lot of things in common, because you’re working in the same field. You spend more time with people on the job, than we do at home. I’m not talking about sexual harassment, I’m talking about “peer to peer” dating. It bothers me that too many people are afraid to reach out and consider dating people that they work with. Best romances I ever had, are people I dated from my job.

Readers are welcome to write me any questions/comments on your website or at Stephen@Viscusi.com. I also encourage them to visit www.bulletproofyourjob.com and www.bulletproofyourresume.com.

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year.

You too, Stephen. You’ve made some great points.

Post from: Blisstree

Interview with Stephen Viscusi, Author of Bulletproof Your Job

Everyone I talk to lately is thankful just to have a job (including me!)  Which means that many of us are worried about what will happen to those jobs in the upcoming months.

I caught this article on how to Bulletproof Your Job: 4 Ways to Stay Employed.  It was interesting, because it gave some advice that other sources aren’t giving.  Like:  coming in early and stay late, pay attention to your appearance, and become a mentor.  In short, present your best possible self.

The article is also realistic in the fact that it says you’ve got to be prepared for whatever may happen.  That includes keeping money in the bank and building your network.  It today’s world, it seems that no matter how happy you are with your job, you should always be prepared to leave if it comes to that.

I’ve been this way my whole career, but that was mainly because I worked in marketing.  A new manager might come in and decide to hire his own entire creative staff, so it didn’t matter if we all worked hard and did a great job.  Sometimes things just happened.  I’ve seen entire departments get the boot without any prior notice.

Even in freelance writing, I’m never “comfortable.”  I’m okay with that, but I wonder if the rest of the workforce is becomming that way too, now.

What do you think?  Is your job safe in 2009?  

Post from: Blisstree

Ways to Stay Employed: Is Your Job Safe?