Joe Carroll, Vice President of Human Resources for IST Management Services, presented a high-energy audience-participation session on a very timely topic, “How to Recession Proof Your Career”.  This was a relevant program for everyone — whether currently employed or looking for new opportunities.  There is no such thing as job security these days. A job loss can happen to anyone at anytime.  In fact, most people have multiple careers in their lifetime.  To be prepared for this, Joe stressed the importance of having a career management plan in place:

• Know your personality
• What would you do differently if nothing could stop you
• Use your talents
• Listen to your instincts
• Write down your goals
• Make more friends
• Get credentials
• Think outside the box

Networking should be part of your job.  It is about learning about the other person and how YOU can help THEM.  During a job search, networking is more important than ever.  A job search is a marketing campaign and YOU are the product.

Joe gave us tips on how best to leverage ourselves during a job search. Some of these included:

• Identify your top 50 companies to work for
• Identify a referral
• Know your elevator speech
• Keep networking
• Master the interview
• Polish your resume

There was much food for thought during this fast-paced presentation!

Thank you Joe!