With the economy in turmoil, many mid-career executives face tough challeges: career change, relocation, shifting job descriptions or self-employment.

Most of them will view the waning months of 2009 as dead time. So they’ll put career transition on the back burner until January.

That can be a huge mistake. I encourage my clients to begin planning now so they can hit the ground running in 2009.

Many executives and professionals have been distracted by election news and economic forecasts.
It’s more fun to think about politics. But Barack Obama has job security for four years. If you don’t, you have to focus on yourself.

Presidents begin their transitions months before they move to the White House. Executives should do the same. Like Obama, you need a plan, a set of goals and a high-power transition team.

Your transition team does not include recruiters. They work for the employer – not you. You need your own financial, personal and career advisors.

Not everybody’s team should include a career coach. Thousands of people make successful career moves on their own.

You will benefit most from hiring a career expert if

• you haven’t been on the job market for awhile,
• you aren’t sure what steps to take, and/or
• you want a break from corporate life.

Change takes time. And many career-changes under-estimate what’s involved.

Most opportunities are time-sensitive. If you get that big meeting on January 15, you can’t start planning January 14 or even January 1. You need to be working with your team long before.”

Holidays are perfect for career planning. You can justify being away from the office. You have a few days off to do some research. Some career consultants (including me) offer specials on their services.

And occasionally a client will say it’s an excuse to skip another boring party.