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Smart Mom

No pink slip! You can recession-proof your career. By Maria Bailey and Jennifer ArnoldPublished: May, 2009

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In one way or another, the current state of the economy is impacting all of us. We all know a friend, neighbor or family member who has suffered the repercussions of recent layoffs. Even if we’ve been lucky enough to dodge the pink slip, we’ve all thought about the “what if” situation and are aware, now more than ever, where our money is going.     If you’re concerned about your career and the stability of your company, now is the time to be proactive and take every measure possible to protect your job against the downturn. > Stay calm If the rumor mill is spinning and the office is abuzz with news of looming layoffs, rise above. While you want to be informed and need to be alert to what is happening, do not get caught up in the water-cooler chatter that abounds. Stay calm and focus on real information and how it impacts your position. If you feel the need to talk to your boss to gain clarity, take time to collect your thoughts and questions, and approach things with a positive attitude. In the midst of all the clamoring, you will build career capital by being perceived as someone who can handle the pressure and maintain a level head when the going gets tough. > Build your brand It’s more important than ever to start thinking about yourself in terms of You, Inc. While you may work for a large corporation in one of many departments, you need to shine and get your “company” noticed. Be conscious of the way you present yourself and your ideas, your attitude and your interactions with others, on both a personal and professional level. Just like any well-known brand, people will have a perception of you, so think about what you are known for at your organization and what co-workers have learned to expect from you. If your brand is not what you want it to be, put a plan into action and build awareness. Up your visibility by attending company functions and networking so that people get to know you, thus ensuring that you’re not just a number. > Strut your intellectual capital What do you have that others do not? Think of qualities and skills that you possess that cannot be easily outsourced to an agency or a temp, or added under a co-worker’s responsibilities. Is there a certain software package that only you can run? Have you built solid relationships with customers who request to work with you? Can you be analytical and still work the right-brain creativity? These are all skill sets that are unique and cannot be replicated. Figure out what yours are and showcase them. > Identify and fill the voids Every company has strengths and weaknesses. Make it part of your job to recognize the weaknesses, the problems and the obstacles and areas that fall short of the competition. Then spend an hour each day creating solutions, and present your solutions to key managers. Your ideas are worth money to your company and may just keep things running a little longer. > Keep learning If you look around you for successful career role models, one common denominator is their continued thirst for knowledge. These people realize that we can never learn everything there is to learn; they are always reading, listening, thinking and growing – never stagnant and always moving forward. Stay current with your industry and on top of the latest trends, so that you will surpass those who are still doing things the way they’ve always been done. This way, if the worst-case scenario comes to fruition, you are also continuing to build that bridge to your next step. – smartmomsolutions.com •> SOLUTION OF THE MONTH      Gratitude Memorial Day (May 25), celebrated since the Civil War, remembers those who have given their lives for our country. Here are ways that your family can honor them:  > Send care packages to troops overseas, including handmade cards and artwork from your kids, that thank them for their service. > Deliver gift baskets to your local veterans’ hospital with your kids. > If a family in your neighborhood has a loved one serving overseas, create a card with a gift card for groceries or theme park passes to show that you’re thinking of them on this important day. > Sport red, white and blue all day, and fly the American flag. It is traditional to fly the American flag at half-mast until noon on Memorial Day; you can then raise the flag at full mast. •> SMART MOM GOES GREEN     A day at the beach The ocean is part of life in Orange County. Here are tips to keep you eco-conscious for any day at the beach: > Use the boardwalks. These structures were built to make access to the beach easier and to protect the beach from erosion. > Leave no trace. Pack out what you pack in. Consider going “old school” with a picnic basket, and use cutlery, plates and cups to avoid unnecessary waste. > Keep track of pets. Help keep the ocean safe and clean for its swimmers and creatures alike. Be sure to clean up after your pets, and use the designated receptacles for disposal. > Be an activist. Organize a beach cleanup day. Contact local community officials to see how your family can spend an hour or two improving your favorite family hangout.

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