Career Anxiety - What Happens When Things Don't Go As Planned?

I was talking with a doctor friend the other day who said, "You know, this isn't where I expected to be at this point. I lost half of my portfolio - that was my kids' college fund. I didn't think I'd have to be working this hard at this age."

Another friend who just lost his job said, "I'm 55, unemployed, and not feeling too good about myself right now. This isn't how I pictured things turning out."

Life doesn't always go as planned - especially when it comes to employment.

Obviously, the severity of this recession has put enormous pressure on millions of people, wreaking havoc with all sorts of plans. But a lot of other things can make for rough sailing on the job front.

You don't get along with your boss. The job isn't a good fit. Your company merges with another one creating redundant jobs. Your industry has reached maturity. Due to an increasingly onerous tax burden, your company packs up and relocates to another state. The startup you're working for is unsuccessful securing its next round of funding. Your company goes out of business. Some sort of government regulation materially changes the playing field in your industry. The list goes on...

Anything can happen.

Change is the constant you can count on. (And in an increasingly dynamic market, that pace of change is only going to accelerate.)

You've got to be proactive. Anticipate. Be prepared for anything. Don't just have a plan; have a contingency plan. Keep them current.

The days of cruising through your career on auto pilot are over. Be ready for anything, be observant, and keep your eyes on the horizon.

Rebecca Metschke helps professionals improve their marketability. The author of The Interview Edge ([http://www.TheInterviewEdge.com]), a comprehensive career guide to career management, she also writes a daily blog posting strategies, tips and advice for those whose careers are in transition ([http://blog.theinterviewedge.com]).

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