Tips: Surviving the Recession

Source: Dice.com
Act now on these recommendations to demonstrate that you are an indispensable IT pro.

Align your role with the organization’s objectives.
IT professionals who directly impact business outcomes have the best job security and growth opportunities, but company priorities often shift during a recession. Talk with your boss to understand the current strategy and then connect the dots between your daily activities and the business plan. If necessary, suggest ways to recalibrate your role, so it is better aligned with the company’s objectives. If realignment isn’t possible, begin a proactive job search, just to be safe.

Stick with the basics.
“Now’s not the time to jump to a hot technology,” says Wallace. “Companies will be focused on creating operational efficiencies and delivery of the basics through installed and proven technologies.”

There’s no doubt that prowess with emerging technologies creates financial opportunities and longer term job security, but accepting a role using an unproven technology with limited market share is risky. Postponing that move for six months may have little impact on long term earnings, yet six months without a paycheck could be devastating.

Transfer to a mission critical project.
“Core projects that are vital to the execution of the strategic plan will be the last areas cut during a recession,” says Margaret Meloni, an IT career strategist based in Long Beach, Calif.

Projects with approved budgets that enhance or maintain existing applications or improve workforce productivity are more likely to remain stable during a downturn, while projects that require new funding are often cut or placed on hold. The sooner you request a transfer to a strategic, fully funded project, the more job security you’ll have.

Suggest ways to increase operating efficiencies.
Could a few programming changes eliminate several steps in accounts payable transactions? What would be the cost of the change and the ROI? Businesses look for every possible way to save money during downturns. Demonstrate your value by showing that you understand business needs across the company and that you can adapt the technology to drive operating efficiencies.

Propose project cost savings and containment strategies.
“Show that you can think like a manager and suggest ways to save money on current projects,” says Tony Habash, executive director and CIO for Washington D.C. based American Psychological Association.

Habash suggests that IT professionals review the current application development process, contractor usage, outsourcing potential and vendor agreements for ways to generate cost savings.

“The key is to be proactive and don’t wait for someone to ask you for suggestions, because the current leaders may not be aware of the best cost savings options,” says Habash.

Upgrade your skills.
Take advantage of your employer’s tuition reimbursement program, because acquiring new skills will increase both your present value and your future marketability.

“Following a lay-off, one database administrator I know didn’t receive a single offer for six months,” says Meloni. “As soon as he completed a Microsoft SQL Server boot camp, the offers just started coming in.”

Declare your value.
“Now’s the time to make sure you’re noticed by management,” says Steve Haag, a Dallas-based VP and technology officer with professional services firm HNTB Corp. “Write up notes from classes you’re taking or client visits and share some intel with your boss to get attention in the right way. It’s easy to get bogged down in the day to day, but go to the trouble of documenting your ideas and celebrate your accomplishments.”

Create revenue opportunities.
Generate revenue, not overhead and you’ll be irreplaceable. While techies may not see themselves as marketing or sales gurus, Haag suggests that IT professionals network with their counterparts at client companies or rub elbows with clients at classes or community events. In the process, you may uncover an unmet need, and then suggest a new service to meet it. Also being connected to clients demonstrates skill versatility and engenders job security.

Be a team player.
If you’re meeting performance expectations ask for a raise, but do so judiciously, because you don’t want to appear selfish, if your company is struggling financially. Be a calming and positive voice within your IT team, because it’s a chance to show your leadership skills; don’t underestimate the advancement opportunities that might arise due to company downsizing or reorganization. Habash suggests that IT professionals think of other ways they can help the enterprise, so they can offer to fill those roles, if their present job is eliminated.

Take charge of your career.
Even if your job seems secure, update your resume, make contacts and get your reference list together because doing so will make you feel confident and in control. Resume creation is worthwhile, because it forces you to detail your value and accomplishments, then you can use the info to highlight your value during discussions with your boss. Plan for the best, yet prepare for the worst and you’ll not only survive the recession, you’ll thrive beyond it.