As the job losses mount and as the economy gets tougher, those left with having to do multiple jobs because of the cutbacks often have to face both, the survivors’ guilt and having to do the jobs of those who no longer work there, but whose tasks devolve down to the survivors! Under these conditions it is often the survivors who seek out other opportunities to start afresh and make a break from their past where they feel stuck.

This very approach breeds a vicious cycle for those seeking change, spiraling down their career momentum, often ending up having to face a lay-off themselves.

In tough times there is an alternate way to get what you want with some planning, patience, and a different outlook!

Contrary to what is apparent, an organization in tough times faces many challenges that need addressing. Normally, these challenges will not be visible to most and will not be addressed even by aggressive managers because nothing warrants addressing them. But, in tough times they can make a difference between survival and a company’s demise! With abundance of such opportunities the right approach is to initiate a change based on where the leverage is and to propose to your manager what must be done to remedy the situation. In tough times managers are willing to take greater risks to alleviate a situation than they would otherwise.

Seeking tough assignments and executing on them provides a great “laboratory” for employees to go beyond what they are normally expected to do. In tough times it is much easier to assume a license to do what it takes to make things better, much more than when everyone is doing well and spending their time politicking. Ironically, in tough time players who rely on such tactics hunker down and even disappear!

Seeking assignments that reflect your next level of responsibilities will automatically allow you to bolster your resume and, as a side benefit, protect your job because of the additional value you are creating and delivering in your otherwise routine—even mundane—job! Just two or three bullets on your current resume with such initiatives can greatly increase your prospects for a promotion outside (even inside) the company as the economy improves and as the hiring begins to ease. Most underestimate the power of this strategy because they are too busy surviving and staying under the “radar” to protect their jobs. I suggest the exact opposite, not only to protect your job but to come out ahead when you are seeking a change on your terms, moving out!

So, what are the steps to changing your perspective and to getting yourself ready even before the good times roll? Well, here is a summary:

1. Identify the pain points for the company, not just in your own department, but anywhere there is an opportunity. Collaborate cross-functionally if you must and propose a solution to your manager or someone higher up.
2. Clearly identify for yourself how this change will help you capture the experience needed to show your qualifications for a job at a higher level of responsibility.
3. Show leadership in how you go about solving the problem and showing how you alleviate the company’s pain. Make sure that there are clear measurements “before” and “after,” so that you can put these on your resume without any reservations.
4. Update your profile to reflect your new responsibilities and if you use LinkedIn (you must) get Recommendations from those who matter. A sudden surge of Recommendations in your LinkedIn Profile can raise some flags, but if you do this as a matter of practice it is less likely to raise suspicion.
5. Remember, that even in tough times companies hire; it is just that they hire only those who create substantial value for them. So, do not be shy about approaching companies that you wish to pursue even prospectively by highlighting what you have done at your own company and what you can do for them. Generally, if you are courting a competitor this makes it even easier to make your case.
6. Review job descriptions for position that you wish to seek and make sure that you have enough ammunition in your message (resume) to overcome possible objections for a higher-level job even without the experience of that job. Often, qualifications carry more weight that experience.
7. Actively network and seek help from outside to meet your objectives. Develop contacts in competitor companies.
8. Do not be shy to trumpet your success, not just your new assignments. Send success emails with copies to your chain of command to increase your visibility.
9. Send emails thanking all those who cooperated with you on your initiatives to acknowledge their help. In so doing, you become visible yourself!
10. Be confident, smile a lot, and do not let anyone stop you. It is amazing how well this works, especially when everyone else is worried and is wondering about if their name on the next lay-off list

Good luck!