Switching jobs to avoid the outsourcing threat
Certain industries outsource more than others. Changing industries may be a relatively easy way to take a step to combat the impact of outsourcing. It would probably help if the industry you're moving to is one where you can get entrenched by building up knowledge and/or contacts. For example, the finance and investment banking industries have complex regulations which are constantly changing, so people knowledgeable in these areas tend to be in-demand and not likely to be outsourced.
It's can also be helpful to get into a job which requires in-depth knowledge of the employer itself. Outsourced workers tend to move around from company to company and because of this high turnover, they usually don't get to know any one company that well.
In addition to the potential of finding a different industry to work in where specific industry and company knowledge can differentiate you from offshore competition, you may also be able to find an industry which provides more opportunity to work directly with clients than your current industry.
Consider moving into a field that is less susceptible to outsourcing
If you're in a field where lots of jobs are being outsourced and you can't figure out a way to make yourself less susceptible through providing better customer service, working more closely with customers, or changing industries, then it may be time to think about changing careers. True, moving to a different field is easier said than done. But even if you do choose this route, you can probably leverage a lot of your current expertise in the new field. For example, if you're in computer programming now, you could become a lawyer specializing in technology. Or if sales appeals to you, you could look at moving to a career selling things you have expertise in.
Here are some fields to consider which are not as susceptible to outsourcing: * Sales and Marketing * Management * Healthcare (Doctors and Nurses) * Lawyers (not paralegals) * Art/Entertainment
Outsourcing is having a big impact on work in America. Just as employers today have to compete with companies all over the globe, so too do the employees who work for them. Being aware of how you stack up against employees in other countries is a good first step in being able to compete with them. Being innovative about how you use the advantages available to you can help mitigate the effects of outsourcing and enable you to continue doing work you enjoy.
About the author: Scott Brown is the author of the Job Search Handbook (http://www.JobSearchHandb ook.com). As editor of the HireSites.com weekly newsletter on job searching, Scott has written many articles on the subject. He wrote the Job Search Handbook to provide job seekers with a complete yet easy to use guide to finding a job effectively.