The end of the Great Recession – are we there yet?   Half of our workforce can hardly wait. According to a recent survey by the Adecco Group North America, 54% of employed Americans plan to look for a new job as soon as the economy improves. You too?  That’s a lot of competition – if I were you I’d start now.

I’ve always tended to toward the “Lord helps those who help themselves” approach to things.  So please, help yourself to a few, proven strategies to get ready for when the job market improves:

Become the Ideal Candidate

Build your resume now! What do you need to be most competititive for your next position? Expand your skills and experience by strategically volunteering for tasks and projects you will need for your next career move. You might not have been the obvious choice before, but in these resource-stretched times, a willing employee is often the able – and chosen – volunteer.  Smile like the Cheshire cat as you gain valuable experience working at what you have so selflessly volunteered to do.

Learn While You Earn

Build your knowledge now! Acquire useful additional skills, certificates, or a degree.  When you expand your professional development and education, you become a more effective employee now and a more attractive job candidate later. Investigate what training and professional development opportunities are available in-house. Some employers also cover all or part of the cost of their employees’ education.  Don’t forget to check out your local Community College for best buys in degree and professional development programs.

See and Be Seen

Build your relationships now! Where is it you want to work in your future job? Establish professional connections with people in your target organizations or departments now in order to 1) establish shared experiences and demonstrate your value in a real world environment instead of an interview; and 2) get name recognition to avoid being just another resume when that ideal job ultimately comes along.  

If your target job  is internal, volunteer for inter-departmental projects, or employee committees.  If it’s external, join professional associations and actively participate on committees or get involved on multi-organizational task forces. Interacting with professional colleagues  — online or in-person — while producing good work is your best advertisement.

There is one piece of advice that never, ever fails:  This too shall pass.  The Great Recession will pass, and job recovery will arrive. And 54% of your fellow employed Americans are going to be out there jostling with you for all those job openings. 

I don’t want you to be one who is shocked – SHOCKED! – to learn your resume is not what the marketplace wants.  Especially when you had all that time to get ready! If are you really serious about a new job, take time now – during in these economic and employment doldrums –  to target your next career move, and thoughtfully and strategically prepare yourself and your resume for when the market opens up again.

After all, you never know what could happen. What if the economy bounces back before you’re done getting ready?