If you watched the news lately, you will notice many reports of slow growth in employment. In fact last month there were 243,000 jobs created, pushing unemployment down to 8.3 percent. Despite that, some people are still having issues finding employment, making this bad economy difficult to overcome. The good news is that instead of waiting for things to get better we can take some proactive steps to get back on track. The following are seven ways to overcome a bad economy:
1) Stay Positive -- It is a fact that when we concentrate too much on the negative aspect of a problem, the problem seems to prolong itself. Regardless of the situation, it is important to stay positive and concentrate on the solution. According to a Georgia Institute of Technology study, it reveals that people tend to have more success during a downtime if they are optimistic and view their current situation as an opportunity to improve themselves and their position in life. Instead of worrying about things that are out of your control, keep your focus on the things that you can change to better your situation. Again, last month 243,000 jobs were added. Do the necessary due diligence to figure out how you can obtain just one!
2) Get Your Financial Life in Order -- Just because things aren't going as well as you may like them to, doesn't mean that you should let things get out of control. It is imperative that you create a budget and reduce your debt. Get rid of any unnecessary expenses and know the difference between your needs and your wants. Don't give permanent energy to temporary things. Even if you have to make certain sacrifices, you shouldn't let that bring you down; just understand that it is a small price to pay to get your life back in order.
3) Improve Professional Development and Soft Skills -- This is the opportune time to concentrate on self-development. In a world that is becoming more and more transparent, it is important that the first impression of you speaks volumes. According to a University of South Carolina study, it is stated that 80 percent of communication is nonverbal. People will judge you based on your posture, demeanor, whether or not you make eye contact, etc. How you enter a room, the tone of your voice and how confident you seem are all important as well. This doesn't mean that what you say is of no consequence, so it is imperative that you continue to develop on your verbal communication skills as well.
4) Repair Your Credit -- Credit has always been a gift or a curse depending on how you use it. In today's world, credit is used more often in making job placement decisions than before. The worst thing you want to happen is that you qualify for a position but because of a bad credit rating you are looked over. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to obtain a free copy of your credit report and begin the process of repairing your credit as soon as possible. First look for items that may not belong there and dispute those with the credit reporting agencies. Second, you should contact your creditors to inform them of your current situation. You'll be surprised that most of them may be willing to work with you on a plan that can fit your budget.
5) Be Unconventional -- Understand that with high unemployment comes hundred of thousands of people competing for the same jobs. Recruiters look at resume after resume after resume, and before long, all of them begin to start looking the same. Make sure that you allow yourself to stand out. This may mean adding professional achievements to your resume, or including personal accomplishments that show who you really are as person. The point is that sometimes doing things in an unconventional way can gain you the right attention needed to be given an opportunity.
6) Increase Your Network -- It is always said that your network equals your net worth. Make sure you are attending many networking events and increasing your sphere of influences. Also be mindful of who you can connect with during non-traditional work activities, including church, volunteering, civic activities, basketball on the weekend, etc. I can't stress this enough... People like to do business with those they like, so the guy you are shooting hoops with may very well be a hiring manager at a major corporation
7) Start Your Own Business -- Studies have shown that many successful businesses have been started during a recession and continue to do well way after. Burger King, FedEx, Microsoft, CNN, and MTV are all examples of such companies. In today's Internet world, where you have access to hundreds of millions of people, starting a business is easier than ever before. The key is to find something you love doing than figuring out how you can make money from it. Begin by putting a business plan together and determining whom your target audience will be. Once you have established that your audience is large enough, begin to put your plan in motion and take back control of your financial freedom.
In conclusion, a bad economy can be the ending point or the starting point. The choice is yours and you have no excuse! Those who continue to make excuses will continue to be left behind with no chance of ever catching up. If you learned anything from this recent experience, it should be to embrace bad times! Love it and use it as a way to fully maximize your potential!! Stop allowing your emotions, the media, and lack of knowledge stop you from living that dream! It is impossible to beat someone who never gives up.