posted 08-15-2001 11:28               

We Are All Self-Employed
by Cliff Hakim

As more and more companies cope with financial pressures by laying off workers, almost everyone's job is a potential target. Those who want to survive and thrive in today's unstable employment arena need to acquire not only new skills but a new attitude--the self-employed mentality. This requires a shift from seeing oneself as a "job seeker" working "for" an organization to becoming a "partner" who works "with" an organization. Such partners think and act independently and yet also collaborate with others; combined, these actions help individuals grow personally while adding value to their organization.

How can you develop a self-employed mentality? First, don't wait for the boom to drop. Instead, begin to clarify the assets you bring not just to your company but to the marketplace, keep an up-to-date resume, research industry information, and network with colleagues. Learn to articulate your strengths and values in ways that align you with the company's goals. Such self-leadership can lead to greater opportunities within the organization. This process works even if you've already been laid off, although in that case, you must deal with greater ambiguity. Making ambiguity your ally, however, can expose you to new pathways. For example, after losing his job, a press photographer embarked on a new career by combining his underutilized writing talent with taking pictures.

True, a self-employed mentality puts the onus on individuals to cultivate employment opportunities: You must understand both your own goals and what prospective companies need. But making these incremental efforts is what enables you to create your ideal employment situation.