It’s not your grandparents’ or parents’ work-world anymore. They took a job with a big company, became loyal workers, built a decent pension and retired. No, this won’t be your future. I’m sorry to say…it really is up to you now. No more hoping the “corporate daddy” will take care of you.
Well, maybe this is the time to become a “Free Agent” and work for yourself.
My guess is that as the jobs continue to dwindle and unemployment continues to soar…people will get more creative and start to market their talents.
So, if you are facing a layoff, or have already…what are you to do?
- Change your “mind-set”. Start thinking in terms of working for yourself, rather than working for someone else. People have been conditioned since the Industrial Age that they need to go to a building, punch in at 8 or 9 a.m. and work at least eight hours (many times more) and then punch out and go home.
- Focus on your talents, what you’re good at. If you’ve recently been through a layoff, now is the time to start. Don’t wait around for someone to give you a job. Start marketing your talents. (preferably the ones that you enjoy!)
- Become a free agent. (freelancer, contract worker) Many companies are hiring contract workers instead of employees. This means that they don’t have to pay health insurance, taxes, or give benefits. This seems to be the wave of the future in corporate cost-cutting measures.
- Read some great books about the growing number of free agents:
Daniel H. Pink’s Free Agent Nation: How America’s New Independent Workers Are Transforming the Way We LivePam Slim’s Escape from Cubicle Nation
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