Q: I started a new job about a year ago. While I am not looking, I think it is unwise to shut my eyes to the realities of today's economy and marketplace. What is the best way to stay abreast and current in my career so that I am not caught by surprise?

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	Stay in touch with past bosses, co-workers, and contacts, including good customers.

A: I appreciate the question. This is generally the biggest weakness I see among professionals. They are with a strong company. Their career is progressing nicely. All is well, and there are nothing but blue skies ahead. Then BOOM!! The bottom falls out and they find themselves jobless, through no fault of their own, and starting a search from scratch. I won't re-cover ground I have previously written about now, but I will remind everyone that there is no such thing as ''old-fashioned loyalty'' in the marketplace today, and that we are all essentially long-term contractors at best. This is not an editorial comment, but simply reality. So here are some tips.

1) Keep your resume current. There is a line about how all good salespeople keep their resume in their briefcase. Having recruited high-tech salespeople for close to 18 years, I know this to be true. Ninety-eight percent of them have it at their fingertips, and updated. You should update yours every six to 12 months. That way you are not spending valuable time playing catch-up.

2) Continue to network. So many people stop this once they get a new job. ''I've landed a new job, so it's no longer necessary.'' This is the number one mistake. Networking is about so much more than just job searches. Groups like FENG, MENG, TENG, SENG, Gray Hair Management, and others have job-search networking as only a small component of their organizations. Networking leads to new business contacts, new partnership opportunities, new sales, etc. Why wouldn't you want to network is the real question.

3) Keep informed and abreast of your current field. I receive several emails per week from people who are in finance (home mortgage and ancillary services in particular) that tell me I must be crazy when I say the job market is generally good. It is generally good, but there are always segments in upheaval. In 2000, ninety percent of the Bell competitors literally went under in 30 days with many of the dot-coms following shortly behind. More recently it has been the banks, mortgage companies, construction companies, etc. that have tanked because of the subprime debacle. What is the common aspect between these two events eight years apart? Both were built on greed, fast bucks, and a house of cards (no editorializing intended), but people turned a blind eye to what was really going on. Add to that slowly dying segments like large manufacturing. You cannot hide your head in the sand. And don't believe you are so good that you will be the last man or woman standing.

4) Keep skills and education current. You are going to say I am talking through both sides of my mouth (those that know me the best say I do, anyway). I do believe that sometimes you need to expand your capabilities by getting some education or training in a little bit different field. A finance person deciding to get an MBA with a heavy marketing focus will potentially edge themselves toward marketing, etc.

5) Join and attend professional associations, trade shows, and local networking organizations. I can't overemphasize the latter. LinkedIn has spawned a lot of local LinkedIn networking groups. These are not groups where people are generally looking to sell something (they won't last long if they are); rather, the members are looking to build connections. This is part of networking.

6) Keep in touch with recruiters you have developed relationships with. Ask them to send you their newsletter, which generally contains the search assignments they are working on. If they don't have one, ask them to send you search assignments that are particularly relevant to your field. Whenever possible, send them candidates that might be a fit. I guarantee you they will remember you. If they ask, and even if they don't, tell them they may feel free to use your name with the person, and then that person will remember you as well.

7) Spend time each week reading business publications like Forbes, the WSJ, etc. There is a lot of valuable information and education in them. Better yet, get their daily news briefs online. Most of them have multiple emails that are market segmented. That way, you can pick the articles you want to spend time reading. Also get online industry magazines, which are generally structured very similarly. One I particularly like is C-NET, which has many online newsletters to choose from.

8) Stay in touch with past bosses, co-workers, and contacts, including good customers. This is a valuable source that most people lose over the years. With the technology available today, there is no reason to lose touch.

9) Write articles and other pieces. This can be for trade publications, local business publications, and newspapers in general. There is no faster way to get your name out there. I guarantee you it leads to many new connections.

Spend time each week reading business publications like Forbes, the WSJ, etc.

I would love to end this week's column by quoting some high-powered business leader, but nothing comes to mind, so I will quote myself. The next job search begins when the last one ends. Or, as Yogi (Berra, for you younger folks) says, ''It ain't over until it's over.'' (There, I found one.)

Here's Wishing You Terrific Hunting,

Bill

About the Author

Bill Gaffney has 17 years of experience as an executive recruiter and career coach. Bill can be reached at 937-567-5267 or wmgaffney@prodigy.net. For questions to be considered for this column, please email askamaxa@yahoo.com.

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