Successful Women Recession Proof Their Career
Posted on Tue, Mar 24, 2009 @ 11:09 AM
One of FWL's featured leaders and the facilitator of the FWL 
Leadership Development Program, Jo Miller, participates in a monthly Q&A forum hosted by Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology. What I really like is that the questions are relevant and Jo's answers are very actionable, so I take a lot away from each of her columns.
We've summarized a recent column on recession proofing your career below, but feel free to read Jo's full posting here.
Question: I am concerned about the economic
downturn affecting my industry. What are steps I can take now to
minimize the effects on my career?
Jo Miller answers:
Take the three following steps:
Step 1: Identify your personal brand.
Identify what you want your name to be synonymous with and aim to
carve out a reputation for yourself as the go-to person in that area of
focus. Select projects and roles that reinforce the brand and make your
accomplishments visible.
Step 2: Analyze your network.
You can learn to navigate your profession or industry with savvy by
understanding the dynamics of the network that surrounds you. Start by
listing or mapping out your existing professional network by
identifying all the different groups of which you are a part.
Now identify the gaps: who are the key people you would like to
include in your network? Who can connect you with opportunities,
resources, and information, and to whom you can provide the same?
Step 3: Create your strategic networking plan.
After reviewing your existing network, and noticing the gaps, create a plan to build a broad network of authentic relationships.
Masterful networkers do this with the knowledge that they will never
need to seek out a job again: it will find them. This is the
recession-proof career.
Jo Miller is CEO of Women's Leadership Coaching Inc. which offers women's leadership seminars and coaching programs. Submit questions to "Ask Jo" and you may see them answered in an upcoming edition!