Odds of Hanging On

Odds of Hanging On

Yes, you're lucky. You aren't plying your trade in an incredibly shrinking industry like, say, bayonet making or eight-track tape manufacturing. As you move around the field or go from company to company, you can hone your skills in a specialty, such as benefits or talent development. Or you can take the other tack, and learn about the high points of a bevy of human resources areas: training, health-and-safety, hiring and firing, compensation.

Whichever tack you take, it's important to stay balanced and somewhat sane in this people-intensive field. When you're off-duty, see if you can chill out. Meditate. Play solitaire. Do yoga. Make it a question of now and Zen. Your workplace mates will appreciate you so much more.