Forging Career Security – Things to Do When You’re Not Job Hunting.

Although the unemployment rate is on a steady decline, the fact remains that the average American stays at one job for only 4 years. So, it should come as no surprise that those currently employed seem a bit uneasy about the security of their positions. The Five O’Clock recognizes the importance of setting oneself apart from the crowd, to increase the odds that you won’t get “the ax” and to be in a position of strength if you do.

In fact, there are many techniques workers can use to make sure they stay on the cutting edge in their companies. The Five O’Clock Club describes these techniques and much more in its new book, “Navigating Your Career: Develop Your Plan, Manage Your Boss, Get Another Job Inside (Delmar Learning, August 2005).

How savvy are you in navigating your career. If the only question that comes to mind is “How do I protect my job?” you are off to a bad start. Richard Bayer, the Club’s Chief Operating Officer says “Career security-not just job security-should be one of your top priorities.”

So, what is meant by career security? Forging career security means being able to remain on track with your career goals and minimizing the time you spend in the job market. Many people only think about job-hunting and career goals when circumstances force them to, however there are plenty of things you can do while you’re on the job. Here are 9 tips :

1. Develop your career plan: You have a job, but do you know where you want to go in your career? Developing your career goals now will enable you to make more progress in your career in the future.

2. Nurture the Network: When Five O’Clock clubbers land a job they vow “This will never happen to me again, I will keep up my network.” Construct a marketing plan designed to help you contact 40 to 60 people you would like to keep in touch with or meet. In the process of your last job hunt you managed to tell at least a few dozen new people about your skills, accomplishments and goals- and these are the people you want to maintain relationships with forever. Some of these people could play a key role in helping you stay on track years from now.

3. Obtain a starring role in Your Professional Association: Attending meetings of professional associations can give a boost to networking. Career-minded people want to be seen as leaders, not just in their own companies, but in their fields. So don’t just attend an association meeting, accept leadership roles. Your boss and peers will see your name, title and photo in the monthly newsletters. You can also put descriptions of your association accomplishments on your resume.

4. Build Your Reputation by Public Speaking: Become the featured speaker at an association meeting, or better yet the keynote speaker at the annual conference. This will help you gain recognition as a “thought leader” in your field.

5. Build Your Reputation by Writing for Publications: If you’re at all aware of what your boss or upper management are reading, you’ll know the industry newsletters you should be targeting. When your articles have been published, send copies to people you’ve met with. If people are sharing your article in professional circles it will help to expand your network of industry contacts and build your reputation.

6. Take Courses or Teach Them, but Continue Learning: Take advantage of your company’s tuition reimbursement program, or if your company doesn’t have one, consider paying for courses yourself. You want to be sure you are on the top of the latest knowledge, trends and technology that impact your field.

7. Review Your Resume: If you can’t add new accomplishments every six months you may be stagnate. Keeping one eye on your resume is a way to gauge your progress and to stay on the offensive.

8. Review Your Vision: Many people wander from one unsatisfying job to another because they skip assessment-which includes envisioning the future 10 or 15 years from now. Every anniversary of your start of a new job, you should review your vision-which should be in written form.

9. Do an Annual Checkup with Your Career Coach: Within a year after starting your new job, meet with your coach to review the long-term plan. Talk about complications or issues on the new job that may be pushing you off-course-or that may have opened up some new possibilities. Using your coach as a sounding board can help you achieve perspective in your career.

These techniques work for persons in all job levels, from the under-30 generation, to middle managers, to senior-level executives. Just remember that the Five O’Clock Club’s methodology, when used properly, really pays off. Never give up!

For more information at http://www.FiveOClockClub.com