Let’s face it, life can throw all you for a loop sometimes. So regardless of your current situation, you should always be prepared for the unexpected. We have all heard this before, but not often enough, do we act upon it.
Take for instance, the recent dismissal of Peyton Manning from the Colts’ roster. Who would have guessed (even after he didn’t start last year) that he might not end his career here in Indy. I sure didn’t, but that’s just it. Change happens, so deal with it (and be prepared).
Now Peyton has found himself in the same position that many IT Professionals could find themselves in one day. Fortunately, there are things you can do today to help you tomorrow.
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Keep Your Skills Current!
- It’s great that you are a Certified SCRUM Master, but when exactly did that happen again? 1998? Well then what have you done since then to better yourself?
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This is a question that you should always be prepared for. Hiring managers want to see that you are motivated, and eager to learn new things (even if it isn’t work related).
- If your reading a book on Philosophy (that counts), if you are pursuing your PMP (that counts), if you are a volunteer for a disaster relief agency (that counts)
- Clearly, taking a class on AGILE today is more relevant that learning how to surf or ski, but none the less it shows initiative.
- The important thing is that you are getting out there, getting exposed to new things, learning new skills
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Network!
- Now if you are taking the above bullet point seriously, this should be cake.
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Honestly, go out and go to IndyJUG if you are a Java Developer or trying to become one. Go to PMI meetings if you are a PM. If you are happy in your current role, take the call from the recruiter at 9AM. That last one seems a bit odd right? Not really. It is always good to have a recruiter on your side, through good times and bad. You just never know when change will happen, so fielding that call could be the difference between being unemployed for 1 week or 1 year.
- What would Peyton do without an agent?
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Don’t Burn Bridges!
- Yes, Indy might be the 12th largest city in the US, but still word travels fast.
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You just never know when you might run into the same folks you worked with a decade ago, so make sure however you leave an organization, do so on good terms.
- That "kid" in the mailroom, might be a Director in 10 years
We all will go through ups and downs in our lifetime, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be prepared. Just keep learning new things, meeting new people (taking that call from a recruiter), and building relationships with them.