You may have heard about the recent corporate takeovers of MNCs like IBM buying Red Hat, or Broadcom taking over CA Technologies. Such corporate restructurings affect hundreds of thousands of people globally.

 

In the wake of restructuring, some may have to vacate their position while others may be asked to take on greater responsibility.  Therefore, learning new skills and improving your knowledge is the best professional insurance you can acquire, and it can put you in the position to be better equipped than your position demands.

 

While not exhaustive, here are 5 important tips that can safeguard your career:

 

Always be Hungry

  • Be hungry for knowledge and stay current with issues relating to your business and beyond. When you show your eagerness to learn, it displays how serious you are about developing your career. For example, taking short courses to upgrade yourself is a great way to stay employable.

 

See the Good

  • If you spend your day thinking negative thoughts, you feel stressed out and unhappy. It’s easy for negativity to sneak in, so give yourself this challenge: for every negative thought/feeling/saying, there should be 3 positive thoughts/feelings/sayings.
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Go beyond your Comfort Zone

  • If you’re in the comfort zone, you will often act reactively instead of proactively. And by acting reactively, you will not only limit your career options but also other potential opportunities. People who enjoy the most professional success are those who proactively prepare themselves (through skills upgrading) for opportunities to grow their careers.

 

Don’t forget to Network

  • Networking gives you access to the hidden or informal job market, which is a helpful tool even if you don't actively job searching. A strong professional network can introduce you to potential future employers, potential clients, trusted service providers and more.

 

Manage Stress

  • Stress isn’t always bad. A little bit of stress can help you stay focused, energetic, and able to meet new challenges in the workplace. Studies have shown that regular aerobic exercise will bring remarkable changes to your body, your metabolism, your heart, and can counter depression and dissipate stress.