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I am currently employed in the beleaguered automotive industry. Worse yet, I am working in and own a home in the Detroit metropolitan area. There is not one family in this region that has been affected by the massive layoffs and downsizing that have recently grabbed national headlines. To say that people are panicking is an understatement. The future of our industry, corporations, careers and livelihoods are extremely tenuous. Should we stay? Should we all move to Tennessee and Kentucky and beg Nissan and Toyota to take us in?

Well, not so fast. The automotive industry is not the only industry groaning under the strain of the new 21st century workplace. Workers everywhere are having to re-think how they manage their careers. Panic might be our first reaction, but a little knowledge and a few simple keys might provide us with some answers we weren't expecting.

The 21st century workplace in definitely not our parents workplace. It is highly unlikely that any of us will end our careers in the same place we started them. Companies are slashing benefits, and offering portable retirement savings accounts; clearly sending the message that employees are expendable assets that will no longer be heavily invested in. Generation X and Y have also done their part in re-defining the workplace. Loyalty has taken on a new meaning among these "me first" workers. Loyalty used to mean, "I will give you my life in exchange for fair renumeration and the promise of retirement." Today it means "I will give you 100% of my efforts while this work arrangement is mutually beneficial. When it's not, I am out of here."

So what should we do when the future is so unclear and the workplace is constantly evolving?

1) Don't wait for a rainy day to update your skills. Constantly be aware of changes in your industry, and opportunities for training and professional certification. If you need to find a job in a hurry, it will be too late to gain new skills.

2) Remember, networking isn't just for extroverts. Even those of us who would rather curl up with a good book than trade small talk at a cocktail party need to understand how valuable a strong network can be. Monster.Com can't put your resume into the hand of a hiring manager the way an acquaintance can.

3) Think in terms of transferable skills. Keep a list of all of your skills and competencies. Determine which ones are specific to the role you currently hold and which ones might transfer to a different role or industry.

4) Raise your profile. Even if your company is laying off workers, the chances are that not everyone is going to go. Take the opportunity to volunteer for a high profile assignment or find some value-added task to perform. When people see your name you want to be associated with someone they need to keep around.

5) Relax. Animals aren't the only ones that can smell fear. Know what you are good at and be confident that no matter what happens to the business you are going to be OK. Confidence is attractive. It tells the world that you are a winner and someone who would be an asset to any organization.

Learn more about this author, Machelle Williams.
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