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How to Survive Recession and Increase Your Pay-check: 8 Tips for Career Success

Increase Your Pay-Check

By Dhrumil KotadiyaPublished 3 years ago 6 min read

The job market is currently in a state of flux due to the recession, but that doesn’t mean your career has to suffer. With the right strategies and techniques, you can survive these uncertain times and even come out ahead. Whether you’re looking to get ahead in your current career or switch to a new one, these eight tips for career success will help you weather the economic storm and increase your paycheck. From using online resources to create a plan for success to taking advantage of new opportunities, these tips will help you stay on track and achieve your goals. With a bit of hard work and determination, you can make it through the recession and come out on top.

Research and stay informed about the job market

The first step to career success and increasing your paycheck is staying informed about the job market and the industries you’re interested in. While you may be able to get away with skipping this step in a strong economy, during a recession it’s vital that you have a thorough understanding of what’s going on so you can protect your income and have a plan for success. You can get informed by reading articles and books on the state of the job market, as well as by following organizations that report on trends in the job market, such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. When you are informed, you can be proactive in your job search and use the latest data to inform your career choices. You can also use this data to help you identify which industries and job types are growing, and those that are declining.

Create a plan for success

With a strong understanding of the job market and your industry of choice, it’s time to create a plan for success. The first step is to set concrete, measurable goals for your career. These goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Once you have your goals set, you can then create a plan to get there. Your plan should include both short-term and long-term goals. While it’s important to have long-term goals, such as finding a new job or switching careers completely, it’s also vital that you have goals that are short-term, such as attending networking events or reaching out to hiring managers. If you don’t have concrete goals with a plan of action, your career will flounder and your paycheck may suffer.

Take advantage of online resources

As online tools become more and more prevalent, they’ve also become a valuable resource for career success. From researching jobs and industries to creating and executing your plan for success, online tools are available to help you succeed in your career. If you’re currently employed, use these tools to build your résumé and look for ways to improve your career. If you’re unemployed or looking to make a career change, these tools can help you find new opportunities and market yourself to employers. Regardless of your situation, there are a number of online tools you can use to achieve career success and increase your paycheck. Social media - Even if you’re not currently employed and don’t have much experience, social media sites can be useful in your job search. Sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook allow you to create a professional profile and connect with potential employers. Online job boards - Reputable online job boards, such as Indeed and Monster, allow you to search for jobs in your area and industry, as well as create and maintain a strong résumé. Online networking - Sites like LinkedIn also offer networking features, which allow you to make connections with hiring managers and other professionals in your industry.

Invest in yourself

No matter what stage of your career you find yourself in, you should always find ways to invest in yourself. Whether you’re just starting out and need to acquire new skills, or you’re looking to switch careers and need additional training, investing in yourself is crucial to career success. You don’t have to spend a fortune on classes or training programs, but you should make it a priority to attend conferences and workshops and take online classes whenever possible. You can even use your skills and experience to start a side hustle or create a product or service that allows you to profit while you make yourself more valuable to employers. Investing in yourself doesn’t only make you more valuable to potential employers; it also allows you to increase your paycheck and protect your income.

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Develop your skills and experience

While it’s important to invest in yourself, it’s also crucial that you focus on building your skills and experience. One of the best ways to do this is to network with other professionals in your industry. You can attend conferences, workshops, and networking events to make connections with people who can help you advance your career. You can also network virtually, using websites such as LinkedIn to connect with people and find new opportunities. Another way to build your skills and experience is to create side projects and volunteer opportunities that allow you to apply your skills in new ways. This can be as simple as creating a blog where you share your knowledge with others or helping out at an organization in your area.

Prepare for virtual interviews

While traditional in-person interviews are still a vital part of the hiring process, more and more companies are also implementing virtual interviews. This may be due to the high volume of applications they receive or the need to reduce travel costs for employees, but either way, it’s essential that you prepare for these interviews. When researching companies that use virtual interviews, you’ll likely find that they all use the same interviewing techniques, such as asking you questions about your experience and advising you on how to prepare. While in-person interviews can be nerve-wracking, virtual interviews can be even more challenging. Make sure you have a quiet, distraction-free environment where you can focus and feel comfortable. You may also want to invest in a noise-cancelling headset to help block out any unwanted noises.

Take on new opportunities

New opportunities come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s important to have an open mind when looking for ways to advance your career. Whether you find an opportunity through your current job, online, or in person, you should always be on the lookout for new opportunities that can help you achieve your career goals. Opportunities can come from unlikely sources, so be sure to keep your eyes open for new possibilities. While some opportunities may not be the perfect fit, they can help you network with new people and make valuable connections that could lead to better opportunities in the future. And many times, taking on new opportunities can help you improve your resume and increase your paycheck without ever affecting your current income. Opportunities can come in many different forms. There are traditional ways, such as taking on a leadership role at work or switching to a higher-paying job. However, you can also look for non-traditional opportunities, such as taking on freelance work or networking with people in other fields.

Network and build relationships

As you take on new opportunities, it’s important to network with others and build relationships that can help you advance your career. When you network with others, you don’t have to go all out and sell yourself to everyone you meet. Instead, focus on finding commonalities with people and finding ways you can help each other. You can attend events and classes that are focused on building your network, or you can do it informally by joining or creating a group online. As you network with others, try to find ways you can help them as well. You can also create an online presence that allows you to network and build relationships with people across industries and in different parts of the world. Social media sites and online forums can help you connect with people from all over the world with shared interests.

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