Having a Plan B To Prepare For a Possible New Career

It is understandable that many people become complacent in their careers, expecting easy work to remain available until they reach retirement age. The truth of the matter, however, is that many older workers find themselves priced out of the job market by recent grads willing to do the same job for less pay. Even if that doesn’t happen, there are other possible outcomes that may result in a person not being able to find work within their chosen profession. Ageism, outsourcing, insourcing, and industry shifts all can have detrimental impacts on established careers. With this in mind, it becomes imperative for workers to have a Plan B in case they’re forced to re-establish themselves in another career field.

A Plan B doesn’t necessarily require that you obtain additional education. As a matter of fact, it can usually be developed by simply analyzing how your profession has evolved. For example, if there has been a shift to outsourcing in recent years, then perhaps establishing oneself as a consultant or freelancer will allow for the worker to take advantage of these new changes. The idea is that you should constantly pursue new opportunities. It does require a degree of ingenuity and imagination, as well as some business acumen. But there are always opportunities for those willing to exploit them.

Starting a part time business is another excellent Plan B for many workers. The possibilities are nearly endless, as constant niches bloom and thrive in this robust consumer-driven economy. Even with the recent downturn, profitable opportunities are still available; you just have to look closer to find them. The good news is that you can begin developing your business idea while you’re still working your current career. Market research as well as strategic planning take time, so starting slow and working your way up will help you to improve the likelihood of long-term success. Best of all, you’ll experience the enjoyment of entrepreneurship first hand, which rarely can be equaled by anything found in a corporate business environment.

While you may never have to take full advantage of plan B, it is best to have something lined up to work with during a period of extended unemployment. There is perhaps nothing worse for the morale of the average worker than losing a job and having nothing to replace it with. Anything which allows for you to remain productive while earning an income capable of paying the bills is a good thing and certainly better than simply sitting around the home and doing nothing. So always plan for bad weather, because you never know when it will rain.