Safeguarding Your Career During Uncertain Times

A year ago, no one could have predicted Twitter would be sold to Elon Musk, Russia would invade Ukraine or Hurricane Ian would ravage Florida. Our world continuously catches us off guard. It’s unpredictable.

And even when unforeseeable events are less catastrophic or have nothing to do with business directly, their effects still ricochet through organizations, eventually reaching workers at every level — including you.

Is there a way to prepare for uncertainty in your career? Yes. By forming quality relationships and always staying educated and informed you will be better prepared to weather unpredictability.

The causes of unpredictability in business

Shifts in consumer behavior, illness and economic conditions are three uncontrollable factors that can profoundly affect an organization, according to Inc. The recent Southwest Airlines holiday flight cancellations debacle points at several more: Weather, technology and the compounding of small mistakes.

All of these causes are glaringly visible and interconnected. A global pandemic pushes the economy into uncharted territory. It drives consumer demand for some services — video conferencing and at-home gym memberships — and annihilates others — rental cars and wedding venues. Just as quickly these demands reverse to over- or underwhelming levels, leaving organizations and employees to adjust.

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How to prepare your career for the unpredictable

Thinking back to jobs you’ve held in the past and observations of your own, you may have a few additional causes to add to this list. But the point is, unpredictability is inevitable and there are things you can do to be ready:

1. Always nurture quality relationships. Having a solid business network is critical if you lose your job or need to jump ship. Many people cringe at the word “networking,” but there’s nothing particularly daunting about simply staying in touch with former colleagues, bosses or even vendors. Social media makes it easy.

   Couple that with always doing good work and interacting well with those you encounter, and you’re forming the bonds that can help you bounce back from an unexpected career setback. Need more information on networking? Read: Networking Tips for Women Starting Businesses.

2. Stay educated and knowledgeable. Today’s education model doesn’t prepare anyone well for a flexible world, according to World Economic Forum. “Skills are typically outdated by the time you finish a four-year college degree.” They suggest that people in the workforce recognize and embrace the need for ongoing training and accept responsibility for your own education so that you stay marketable for years to come.

   In addition to keeping your skills up to date, it’s also important to stay aware of changes happening within your industry or profession. What are the best sources of information about your industry? Mentors, professional organizations, online forums or social media are all great resources. Share what you learn in discussions with your team or colleagues.

3. Grow your adaptability. Coping effectively with unforeseen changes can take practice. The people who have the most trouble coping with ambiguity are those who have settled into a comfortable routine and haven’t changed much. Instead try new things often so you gain mental flexibility and are more comfortable with discomfort. Also, practice being optimistic looking for the positives in what may first appear to be a bad situation.

Uncertainty is part of today’s workplaces. When the unexpected happens, it can feel like you’re been thrown into the deep end, suggests Psych2go. Instead, “imagine you’re a deep sea diver, exploring with a sense of curiosity.” This mindset, lifelong learning, and a network of quality professionals will help you thrive in uncertain times.