tion for two weeks. Ask yourself: Is there professional opportunity here? Or, should I now begin looking elsewhere? How can you decide whether to put your energy into making a go of it or to start letting go?

First, do more research. If there is new ownership, learn all you can about that corporate culture. Study past, as well as, current reports in the business press. Ask people what it’s like to work there. If you’re used to a regimented, bureaucratic company and the new owner has an entrepreneurial approach you may be in for big changes. However, if you have a flexible, go-get-em personality, you might find

In these days of takeovers and mergers, of downsizings and lean management, chances are that you are going to be caught in a job upheaval at least once in your career. Probably more than once!

Change in the wind may come like an invigorating breeze on a hot humid night. For instance, your boss is promoted to a new job and you have to get used to reporting to someone new, who turns out to be even better. But change also can come as a spark before the forest fire, when an outside takeover of your company leads to unexpected layoffs, outsourcing, and redefinition of the company itself.

But whatever the situation, once you’ve got a new job or a new boss or a new company, you must realize you have to change. That’s survival lesson number one. The worst thing you can do is cling to the old ways of doing things or to ignore what’s happening right before your eyes. To deal effectively with change, you need to pay attention to four stages of workplace transition.

Stage 1. Something’s Up: What To Do Before The Change.

If you’re lucky, you’ll have some advance warning and time to prepare. Sometimes you simply have the uneasy feeling that something is up. There might be lots of hushed conversations or closed-door meetings. Top management might seem especially busy and inaccessible. Or the rumor mill is running high.

If you sense something is happening, get out there and keep informed. Don’t stay buried behind your desk or in your office. Be visible inside and outside your company. Just because you’re doing a good job, don’t assume you’ll be taken care of. While you’re gathering information within your own company, keep your antennae up and ears perked for news of openings in your field. Pass the word discreetly among professional colleagues that you’re thinking of trying something new. You may not need to or want to change jobs, but it’s important that you know what’s out there.

As soon as you know something definite, plan how you are going to manage yourself. The change, no matter how big or how small, will affect you personally. By acknowledging your feelings of anxiety, frustration or loss, you can get beyond the initial shock more quickly, start thinking more sensibly about your career options and move on.

Stage 2. Getting Acquainted: The First Couple of Months.

In the first weeks of the transition, take extra care to be visible, productive, and open to change. This is not a good time to go on vacation for two weeks. Ask yourself: Is there professional opportunity here? Or, should I now begin looking elsewhere? How can you decide whether to put your energy into making a go of it or to start letting go?

First, do more research. If there is new ownership, learn all you can about that corporate culture. Study past, as well as, current reports in the business press. Ask people what it’s like to work there. If you’re used to a regimented, bureaucratic company and the new owner has an entrepreneurial approach you may be in for big changes. However, if you have a flexible, go-get-em personality, you might find

n, once you’ve got a new job or a new boss or a new company, you must realize you have to change. That’s survival lesson number one. The worst thing you can do is cling to the old ways of doing things or to ignore what’s happening right before your eyes. To deal effectively with change, you need to pay attention to four stages of workplace transition.

Stage 1. Something’s Up: What To Do Before The Change.

If you’re lucky, you’ll have some advance warning and time to prepare. Sometimes you simply have the uneasy feeling that something is up. There might be lots of hushed conversations or closed-door meetings. Top management might seem especially busy and inaccessible. Or the rumor mill is running high.

If you sense something is happening, get out there and keep informed. Don’t stay buried behind your desk or in your office. Be visible inside and outside your company. Just because you’re doing a good job, don’t assume you’ll be taken care of. While you’re gathering information within your own company, keep your antennae up and ears perked for news of openings in your field. Pass the word discreetly among professional colleagues that you’re thinking of trying something new. You may not need to or want to change jobs, but it’s important that you know what’s out there.

As soon as you know something definite, plan how you are going to manage yourself. The change, no matter how big or how small, will affect you personally. By acknowledging your feelings of anxiety, frustration or loss, you can get beyond the initial shock more quickly, start thinking more sensibly about your career options and move on.

Stage 2. Getting Acquainted: The First Couple of Months.

In the first weeks of the transition, take extra care to be visible, productive, and open to change. This is not a good time to go on vacation for two weeks. Ask yourself: Is there professional opportunity here? Or, should I now begin looking elsewhere? How can you decide whether to put your energy into making a go of it or to start letting go?

First, do more research. If there is new ownership, learn all you can about that corporate culture. Study past, as well as, current reports in the business press. Ask people what it’s like to work there. If you’re used to a regimented, bureaucratic company and the new owner has an entrepreneurial approach you may be in for big changes. However, if you have a flexible, go-get-em personality, you might find

r meetings. Top management might seem especially busy and inaccessible. Or the rumor mill is running high.

If you sense something is happening, get out there and keep informed. Don’t stay buried behind your desk or in your office. Be visible inside and outside your company. Just because you’re doing a good job, don’t assume you’ll be taken care of. While you’re gathering information within your own company, keep your antennae up and ears perked for news of openings in your field. Pass the word discreetly among professional colleagues that you’re thinking of trying something new. You may not need to or want to change jobs, but it’s important that you know what’s out there.

As soon as you know something definite, plan how you are going to manage yourself. The change, no matter how big or how small, will affect you personally. By acknowledging your feelings of anxiety, frustration or loss, you can get beyond the initial shock more quickly, start thinking more sensibly about your career options and move on.

Stage 2. Getting Acquainted: The First Couple of Months.

In the first weeks of the transition, take extra care to be visible, productive, and open to change. This is not a good time to go on vacation for two weeks. Ask yourself: Is there professional opportunity here? Or, should I now begin looking elsewhere? How can you decide whether to put your energy into making a go of it or to start letting go?

First, do more research. If there is new ownership, learn all you can about that corporate culture. Study past, as well as, current reports in the business press. Ask people what it’s like to work there. If you’re used to a regimented, bureaucratic company and the new owner has an entrepreneurial approach you may be in for big changes. However, if you have a flexible, go-get-em personality, you might find

change jobs, but it’s important that you know what’s out there.

As soon as you know something definite, plan how you are going to manage yourself. The change, no matter how big or how small, will affect you personally. By acknowledging your feelings of anxiety, frustration or loss, you can get beyond the initial shock more quickly, start thinking more sensibly about your career options and move on.

Stage 2. Getting Acquainted: The First Couple of Months.

In the first weeks of the transition, take extra care to be visible, productive, and open to change. This is not a good time to go on vacation for two weeks. Ask yourself: Is there professional opportunity here? Or, should I now begin looking elsewhere? How can you decide whether to put your energy into making a go of it or to start letting go?

First, do more research. If there is new ownership, learn all you can about that corporate culture. Study past, as well as, current reports in the business press. Ask people what it’s like to work there. If you’re used to a regimented, bureaucratic company and the new owner has an entrepreneurial approach you may be in for big changes. However, if you have a flexible, go-get-em personality, you might find

tion for two weeks. Ask yourself: Is there professional opportunity here? Or, should I now begin looking elsewhere? How can you decide whether to put your energy into making a go of it or to start letting go?

First, do more research. If there is new ownership, learn all you can about that corporate culture. Study past, as well as, current reports in the business press. Ask people what it’s like to work there. If you’re used to a regimented, bureaucratic company and the new owner has an entrepreneurial approach you may be in for big changes. However, if you have a flexible, go-get-em personality, you might find it exhilarating.

If you have a new boss, find out how she was perceived in her previous job. Pick up the phone and ask around to find someone who knows her work. If it’s a restructuring, try to understand the reasons behind it. What is the company dealing with now, that it wasn’t dealing with in the past? What goals is it trying to accomplish in the reorganization? In what way can you contribute to these new goals?

Put yourself in your boss’s shoes. What are the key problems that need to be solved right now? Are you part of the problem or are you part of the solution? Are there things you could be doing right now to come out ahead of the game? If you choose to stay, it’s up to you to get on with the program, and to show your new boss how indispensable you really are. Do it as soon as you can. If you hang back it might get harder. Take the initiative. Ask for a meeting to discuss your background, to provide an update on your projects, and to find out about the new goals for your team, department or division. You need to be perceived as adding value not just taking up space.

Stage 3. Settled In: The Six Month Benchmark.

Now that the dust has settled, it’s the time to gauge your career health. If you’re working with a new boss or new owners or are in a totally different area, ask yourself: Do I feel like an active participant or am I on the sidelines looking in? Have I gotten reassuring comments or positive feedback? If you are in the dark, take the risk and request a meeting with your boss to discuss your performance.

You need to be direct. Say, “I’ve been working hard to cooperate and adjust to the changes, but I’ve been wondering, how am I doing from your point of view? And what’s the next six months going to look like?”

You may get an indirect response such as: “You’re doing fine, keep up the hard work”; or “Let’s set a time to discuss this further.” However, don’t be satisfied with an evasive or avoidance answer. Performance feedback is essential during times of organizational transition. If all the signs are looking good, you can start breathing a sign of relief. But don’t let your guard down completely. The next six months are also very important.

Stage 4. A Year After: Is The Coast Clear?

By the time you’re a year or more into a major change in your organization, it’s reasonable to wonder: Has my work life settled down at last? Am I home free? After a year, if not before, t