Greetings fellow EMSer’s!  In our last Insights column we discussed strategies for preparing someone to take over for you when you are ready to move on.  We call that Succession Planning.  This month, let’s focus on some strategies designed to assist YOU when it is time for YOU to move on.

As humans, we tend to avoid dramatic change – but let’s face it – we are in a dynamic industry.  People change, systems change, politics change, and bosses change.  Your organization may be downsizing (or what we sometimes call “rightsizing”), or you may become bored and no longer interested in the role you play, or in some cases, you may be forced to choose between two impossible scenarios and have to choose the one that allows you to maintain your integrity and sense of self-worth. 

When these changes occur, you may find yourself back in the job market.  Here are helpful tips for that period “in the meantime” when you are between positions.

Professional Preparation:

1.      Have an external focus in your industry.  If you myopically focus on your role in your organization, you lose sight of the larger picture in the industry and will be less marketable.  This is especially true in our hyper turbulent industry of EMS.  Be active in state and/or national trade associations.  Get to know people outside your organization.  Volunteer to work on projects that involve external stakeholders – both in and out of EMS.  Remember that EMS is healthcare. Healthcare is the largest industry in the United States.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare industry generated over 13.5 million jobs in 2005 and in the next ten years, of the twenty fastest growing occupations, eight are in healthcare.

2.      Be the “go-to” person.  In every circle there are the people everyone knows can get the job done.  Chuck Kearns, the EMS Authority Director in Pinellas County, Florida summed this up best by saying “If you want something done right and right away, give it to a busy person.”   Establish a reputation for taking on projects, even the seemingly impossible ones, and get them done.  Diligence and reliability are very desirable traits that cross over well to any organization or industry.

3.      Always be growing.  Continuously seek ways to enhance your knowledge base in areas valuable to not only your current organization, but a future one as well.  Formal education is important, but keeping up with technological, clinical and practical skills are equally important.  Use your current position to learn how to implement new processes that not only enhance your organization, but that are transferable to other organizations. 

4.      Be a team player.  Grasp every opportunity to build coalitions, find innovative solutions to problems, build bridges and help your community.  Even in the most contentious situation, look for the compromise – be the “Henry Kissinger” of your community.  If you treat people honestly and fairly, the bridges you build will be strong.  Even when you determine it is time to move on from your current employer, do so in a way that preserves (as much as possible) your mutual goals and future standing in the community.  Resist the temptation to “go out with a bang”, even if in your mind it’s justified.  This will only serve to alienate you from your previous employer.  If you accomplish these strategies, when the time comes to reach out for the help of others, there’s a better chance at finding a long list of supporters.  Remember two famous adages: “The bridge you burn will be the one you need to retreat over”; and “the people your step on going up the ladder will be the same people you must pass on your way down!”

5.      Keep a portfolio of your significant achievements.  This could be a scrapbook of awards, kudos letters, news articles and examples of your work.  Keeping this current will be invaluable when updating your resume, or for use in an actual interview in the future.  Speaking of your resume, keep that current as well.  Consider adding/changing your resume with each significant achievement.  Promotion, completion of a major project, receiving an award or being named to a trade or community organization are good triggers to remind you to update your resume.  One of the best sites I’ve found for tips on writing or revising your resume is CareerPerfect.com. 

Personal Preparation:

As important as the professional preparation, is preparing yourself personally for an abrupt change in your working status.  These tips may help keep you sane “in the meantime”.

1.      Emergency Financial Reserve.  Generally speaking, you should have at least a 3-month financial reserve “in the bank”.  This way, if you do suddenly find yourself unemployed, you have a little breathing room to regroup.  The reserve can come in any one of a number of forms such as a severance agreement, accrued time to be paid out upon separation, or cash savings.  To determine how much you’ll need, simply take all your household and living expenses for a 3-month period, add a comfortable percentage for the “what ifs” and there you go.

2.      Have a “Someday I’ll” list.  Keep a list of all those things you would like to do if you had the time.  You just might someday.  Keeping busy “in the meantime” is very important.  It helps preserve your self-worth through productivity and keeps your mind sharp.  It may also make a huge dent in your “honey-do” list.

3.      Stick to a Schedule.  When you suddenly have a lot if time on your hands, beware not to fall into a lazy slump!  Your new full-time occupation is job hunting – treat it as such.  If you used to get up at 3:15am for a morning workout before going to work, still do it!  Your ‘work-day’ will be different, but equally as important.  While you’re waiting for the next interview, refer back to your “someday I’ll” list and keep busy.  Read industry periodicals, keep abreast of issues, paint your house, repair the roof… anything – just keep doing things.  This is no time to let moss grow under your feet.  If you start running out of things to do, call your local United Way or Volunteer Center and do some volunteer work – anything!

4.      Stay Positive.  There is a reason for your change in direction.  Every person I know who had an unexpected turn in their path has said that where they landed was better than where they were.  The economy is strong, there are many jobs to be had, and the perfect fit is out there looking for you!

Hopefully, these tips will help you feel more secure about your future. 

Start today… 

Where is that resume anyway?