Unemployment stands at 10% nationally and will likely hover at this level for much of 2010. When you factor in people who are either underemployed (translation: working part-time) or have stopped looking for work altogether, the rate of unemployment actually stands at 17.3%. Yes, it is okay to gulp. I have just over 14 years of professional work experience, and I have NEVER witnessed or experienced this type of adverse job market. To say that it is bad is a complete understatement. I know too many highly qualified, educated and experienced professional people who have become victims of this recession and declining job market. Many have had to reinvent themselves and/or change industries entirely. Changing industries in a declining job market out of necessity is no easy task, especially if most of your experience and professional track record stem from one particular industry. I consider myself to be extremely fortunate and grateful to still have a job under these adverse circumstances, which is the premise for this entry.

I use to work for a large, national bank headquartered out of Cleveland, Ohio. I departed in 2007 and joined a very small company. When I joined the new company, I made a commitment to myself and my new employer that I would not only check my ego at the door (which I will admit was pretty big), but I would remain open-minded and flexible regarding any projects, assignments or tasks for which I would be assigned. When I departed the aforementioned bank, I was considered a top-performer; in fact, I was the top-performer on a Nationwide Business Development Team. Joining this new company, I was now the low man on the proverbial totem pole.

I took on and accepted all-manner of assignments, no matter how over- or under-qualified I may have felt. Now, I am not saying I have always enjoyed it, but this mindset enabled me to stay gainfully employed. The team that I was proud to be a part of no longer exists today. And yet, I still remain as a productive and committed employee (albeit in a different capacity). I have a completely different job function today, but the more important thing to note is that I still have a job. If I were not willing to take on any assignment/project/task, no matter how big or small, no matter how over-or under-qualified I may have been or felt, I am fully convinced that I would be contributing to the high unemployment rate. You will never hear me utter the words, “That is not in my job description.” As far as I am concerned, my job description is whatever my employer needs me to do. I am fortunate in that I work with numerous individuals who shares this same perspective as I do.

As the New Year fades from Winter to Spring, remember to be thankful for the positive things that you have in your life, both at work and at home. I know I am.

How to find me:

My blog: http://yourtopshelf.wordpress.com/
LinkedIn Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeltfarley
E-mail: [email protected]