Don't Make Decisions Based on Fear

Yesterday I wrote about the recession, of which we are probably in the midst, and what to do if you lose your job. I hesitated before writing it because I wanted to avoid fearmongering. I decided to write my post because I strongly believe in the adage "prepare for the worst and hope for the best." Knowing what to do may keep you from panicking if a job loss hits and may help you recover more quickly.

A few days ago I was watching one of the network morning shows of which I am generally a fan. They, as many news shows do, talk a lot about the recession as they were that morning. I don't think they are trying to scare us... well maybe just a little. Fear makes us tune in to hear what they have to say. This particular segment focused on areas of the country that currently have good employment prospects. While it is true that it is easier to find a job in certain cities than in others, I cringed while watching this. Imagine picking up your family and moving to a city that is, at the moment, doing well, only to find that the only thing you like about it is your job. Deciding to move to a new city requires further investigation and you should consider things in addition to the employment prospects there. To be fair, the person reporting on this did say you don't have to move to get a job.

Another part of this same segment talked about career fields that are currently hot. While it is so important to consider the outlook for a particular occupation when deciding whether it is right for you, that is only part of the picture. There is much more to look at when choosing a career. You may pick a field that has a very good outlook, but that doesn't mean it's for you. Besides, what's hot today, may be less so tomorrow.

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