Sunday, October 11, 2009

EMBRACING THE CHANGE DURING VOLATILITY

Today’s world is full of fickle. There is no point to confide on consistency. Since the situational constraints are so pervasive that it is a volatile world and change management and theories support this system should not be construed as platitudes. People, who are optimistic and always in search of the opportunities even in scarcity, will embrace the change.

They will put their all manhood to that extent that even graves yawned and they will dig out all changes. The whole objective behind this approach is that they want to reap the benefits because of these changes. At present, the whole world is under the influence of economic turmoil and a gale of recession makes the condition tumultuous. So, it is prudent for anyone to seek changes rather than only resort to worries to the constant flux of socio-economic downtrend. This is very true particularly during attrition, lay off and job loss because financial crunch as faced by industries prompt them to advocate for above decisions. It is next to impossible to handle a situation arises out of losing a job. And this alone is the toughest change to manage and cope up with. Under these circumstances most of the people inhibit to accept the ground reality, curse their luck or accuse others for these predictable changes. These were imminent, but only thing they could not foresee in advance.

In this process, they get stressed and become worried. But, there are proactive people who boldly accept this change in their lives and they become inveterate to overcome these perplexities and engage themselves to trace out new opportunities. They ensure not wasting anytime but to make use of most of the changing and difficult times. They do not sink in the slough of indolence and strive very hard to search for any opportunity and to utilize the same in the right perspective.

When a job is lost or such a mishap looks imminent, it is quite natural that one get engrossed by severe grief and despondency. The cloud of fears smears on their faces as if they slither down the slope in their professional career. It is true that searching for a new job and get unlocked into the same on immediate basis is a daunting task because of the uncertainty and ambiguity of the current situation. But without bringing much despair, one has to embrace the change management scenario effectively and search for a job with a grit of determination and dedication. Some of the following manifestations may be helpful to summon some extra courage to dawdle in right direction.
Use discretionary power to change the career profile:
Generally, people stick to the same kind of job, role or even industry. But during changing time which is confronted with recession, you must widen your profile to help the search engine. For example, at present IT sector is undergoing a downturn, and every now and then, these industries are facing a jolt. So, if you are a victim and under the destination of job loss, then instead of trying for this sector alone, the searches must be little broader i.e. to seek employment opportunities in related fields say ITES, BPO, call centers. In some cases, there should be a reshuffle in the thought process and you must try for the openings in service industries, hospitality sectors; who knows this may increase the opportunities of employability quickly.

This is the first major change one must take in right spirit and distract his attention from the conventional and stereo type searching pattern. You must do introspection and also to ponder on the ground reality. You have to thoroughly examine your strength and passions and give concentrated thoughts on the outcome of the same. You have to identify which other role or industries you could put your strengths to use. At this point of time, you have to be very practical and also pragmatic. You have to probably frame a questionnaire for yourself asking whether you would like to change roles in the same industry or you would like to change the industry. Are you going to follow the pursuit of existing profession say in sales or you wanted to try your hand in some related profession like sales administration? Further, do you want to change the role say presently you are in HR and you lose the job and now would you like to take a role of a trainer in an HR consulting company? Once, one is able to fix up these issues then one can take the next step.

Knowledge base is to be widened
The most common pitfall is that people do not increase the knowledge base. When their present job is lost, people are so much mortified that most of the time, they feel sullen. Instead of that, they have to continuously search for openings in existing as well as in the new fields and for that matter, they have to acquire new knowledge. If not, it is possible to pursue university degree, one must enroll in the crash courses. Further, if you aspire to groom yourself for a new role of job opening, you have to know the nitty-gritty of that role. For example, you were in sales in an IT company, and now you want to change your role and plunge into marketing of engineering goods, you have to first know the details involved with the marketing function of engineering goods. Read and enrich your knowledge and information about this new trade, its pattern of functions, current market trend, skill required for this function. You need to speak to the professionals and experts who belong to this sector to increase your basic knowledge of this job function. By attending seminars, talks delivered by experts, you can gather more detailed information. You may also use internet for online learning. After completing these theoretical exercises, you need to acquire practical exposure of the trade before fully plunge to search jobs for this new role. Practical exposure is possible to obtain by assisting someone who is in the trade for a considerable period. To start with, you can opt for a small assignment on contract basis with a small company or with a consultancy firm. All these will make you agile and confident to appear for a job interview for a new role.

Accept change in rank
You may have to rat-tat to your sensualism and take bold steps to accept a job even in lower rank. During crucial period, one has to forego the vanity of the position and power. Suppose you were holding a post of manager and you lose the job because of market slump. And in this situation, if you get a job in your own field but in one rank below the position you were holding, it is very much wise and prudent on your part to accept the same. This is nothing to do with your ability but because of market slowdown, you are compelled to satiate with the lower rank of offering from the new employer. It is very true that many employees do not like to go down because of statusco symbol but it will be foolery on one’s part to refute the appointment since when market is squeezed, job offers also will be limited. So, by turning down this type of offer, you may develop severe despondency and sometimes this may cause enormous stress and health breakdown. It is best to be patient and do the work at hand well. Apparently, this change in position may seem disappointing and disdainful but it may open a new door for you to learn and build skills, increase information base and gain knowledge of the workings of the particular company and the industry as a whole. And when the market condition is improved upon and clouds of recession scattered hitherto inducing the fear psychology with menacing growl is over, who knows you may be elevated in the hierarchy because of your perseverance and hard work. But one thing is sure, in your new role and lesser position, you have to acclimatize yourself with your full energy and vigour so as to learn the product, company’s working pattern, system and culture to get the fruit when the time comes.

It is very much advisable during the current time of recession to get prepared for any unprecedented incidence, particularly, with regard to loss of employment. However, in case of job loss, one should accept and explore job opportunities even in the fields where he does not have good hands. For this, one should widen the knowledge about the functions of the new job. Or otherwise, he may stick to the same portfolio in some other company where he is offered a step below rank. He has to be courageous enough to adjust to this situation and wait for good times to come. So, one should be flexible; and should adjust sails according to direction of winds in the current situation of economic meltdown.

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