Can You Afford To Keep Your Job?

from Economic Survival Blog by admin

If I was to describe what we as US citizens are confronted with right now, I would have to summarize it as a “shit-storm-sandwich”. I would also be the first to point out that our friends to the north and south, along with neighbors across the pond are also dealing with the same level of urgency as we are here in the States.

But rather than make a world-wide blanket statement, I will be concentrating primarily on the US in this post. Clearly, we are facing a number of issues from all sides that make it seem as if no matter how hard we work, we are stuck.

Here is a short list of reasons why:

• -The USD is fast becoming the scorn of the world rather than the sought after currency it once was.
• -Unemployment according to some schools of thought, may indeed be much higher than we are being lead to believe.
• -States are borrowing to pay out unemployment benefits.
• -As you have been told in the past about the potential of a food shortage in the US, we are fast approaching that reality.

But hey, let’s all get a JOB as surely this will help us weather all of the challenges above. Sure, you will have no means of earning more money once the dollar eats its own face and goes to hell, but hey - at least you are “employed”, right? Give me a break.

In this article, I will be outlining a plan that you can put into practice today to survive the downturn in this economy. It will be tailer made for things as they are now, realizing the limited number of options for both the skilled and unskilled. And at its core, will encourage you to ask the question: “Can you afford to keep your job?” We have already explored why getting a job is a huge mistake. But what about keeping one in this economy? Working just to be laid off later on does not seem like you would be building anything up for the future really…

Unless your job falls into one of these growth categories, I tend to doubt it.

• -Medical claim processing jobs
• -Medical assisting
• -An Oil Industry Job

If nothing above looks viable or there is the fact that you need something in place now, today, then I do have some thoughts for you.

• -Assess your skills. Be honest with yourself, then consider what you are best at.
• -Realize that despite what seems like a risk, you will at the end of the day, be self-employed. This beats being unemployed!
• -What ever you used to do, try approaching opportunities as a contractor rather than an employee. Businesses like this as it translates into using you only when they need to. Plus taxes are your problem, not the business you are working with.
• -Utilize social networks like LinkedIn and start a blog with free services so that you can remain in the public light as possible.
• -Get outside and socialize. I am not talking about at job fairs, rather make yourself known to the local chamber of commerce as someone with “XYZ set of skills” that are available and of value. You would be surprised how much work can be landed this way.
• -Consider freelancing if you have a skill set that fits. Do not let the people charging less than you scare you off. Just put together a good portfolio of what you can do and get yourself out there!

Still think a job is more secure? Let me put it this way. No matter how bad things get, I know that because I am in charge of my own paycheck, I will be able to find work at some level no matter what. The advantage of working as a self-employed person is that you can set your own value, rather than allowing your employer to do it for you. Think about it.

Original: http://www.economicsurvivalblog.com/can-you-afford-to-keep-your-job/