In a Tough Job Market Adaptability and Flexibility are Key

Today, it was announced that the National Bureau of Economic Research has determined that the US economy is officially in a recession. That news is actually not news at all to millions of Americans. In recent months, southern Virginia has faced a fresh wave of plant closings and lay-offs. In these tough economic times, discouragement and fear loom large.It may seem like you're at the mercy of uncontrollable forces. This, however, is not the case. The two best assets you can possess to help you weather the storm are adaptability and flexibility.

The model of an employee staying with a single company until retirement is outdated. The reality is that most people will have 7-10 different careers in their lifetime. Globalization and technology has leveled the playing field not just for people in your region or state, but for the world. You are no longer just competing against John from City A; you're now competing with John from City A, Kenneth from State B, and Helen from Country X. Now, more than ever, it's important that you have the skills and knowledge that will allow you to adapt to new situations quickly. You also have to be flexible enough to take what made you successful yesterday and put it aside. Most people think of the need for computer skills--and certainly if you do not have them you definitely need them. But there's also the need to think creatively and critically, and to be open to new ideas and methods. 

Ok, I need to be flexible, you may be saying. "But how do I get that? Where do you learn to be adaptable?" The answer to that, my friends, will come in my next post. 

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed