About to be laid off? Here are some strategies to think about
By George Wahl, P.Geo.

The current economy is driving the resource sector to a new low in the cycle. With it comes the prospect of job layoffs. Unfortunately for those of us in the resource sector this is a common occurrence during recessions. Take heart, though, if you are about to be laid off because the next cycle will be at least as strong as the last one. The news is not all bad. There are still opportunities for employment in the precious metal sector where commodity prices are still strong. Government prospects still present a reasonable option as the federal government recently announced a large scale-mapping program in Canada. One should also consider provincial government opportunities in geosciences such as with recent geoscience positions advertised with the Ontario and Yukon governments. There are a wide variety of government and industry job sites that should be monitored on a regular basis, such as:

http://www.infomine.com/careers/
http://www.pdacjobs.com/
http://www.gac.ca/outreach/jobs.php
http://www.apgo.net/membersonly/protected/login.php

If your own search isn’t providing sufficient leads, there are also a variety of headhunters to help point you in the right direction, including: C.J. Stafford & Associates (http://www.cjstafford.com/), Cowan International (http://www.cowaninternational.com/) and MinePros Personnel Inc. (http://www.minepros.com/).

Call your contacts in the industry and don’t be shy about asking for help in finding employment and advice on how to best use this decline in the cycle to prepare you for the next upturn.

Go to trade shows, discussion groups, and seminars, and become an active volunteer in your industry associations. These are excellent platforms for broadening your knowledge base, networking and learning about new opportunities.

Unemployment is also a good time to step back and consider what other opportunities exist for geoscientists. The numbers of specialties in geoscience are varied and many have used their profession as a stepping stone to careers in the financial, engineering, environmental geosciences, research and government sectors. With the global focus on alternative energy, Canada is becoming recognized as a leader in geothermal technology. Developing new tools for finding deposits is also a career choice, which will keep Canada in the forefront of mineral exploration. Spend some time understanding where you want to be in five to ten years. Ask for advice as to the knowledge, skills and experience you need to achieve your goals and then work on a plan to get there.

This period is also a good opportunity for expanding your knowledge base and skills. Pursuing an advanced university degree in geology, geophysics, geochemistry, mining engineering or business can put you ahead of the pack but there are also a wide variety of on-line and part time courses available through groups such as http://www.edumine.com/.

Many software companies also offer courses to upgrade your skills in geostatistics, GIS and block modeling. Some professors, industry associations and service providers offer courses on geochemistry, geophysics, sampling theory and geo-metallurgy, which will better prepare you for the next upturn in the market. Don’t forget that such activities as structured or self-directed education will also qualify for CPD hours.

The lows of the cycles can be painful but keep a positive attitude. These times provide excellent opportunities to explore where you want to be in the next cycle and to design the blueprint to get you there.