Resolution 2010: I want to keep my job! Tips to help you maintain job security even in a tough economy.
With all the focus on layoffs and unemployment rates, it is sometimes hard to remember that the majority of Americans are still employed. Implement the advice below to give yourself the best shot at keeping your job, and not being on the top of your managers downsizing list if your company restructures.
- Make yourself indispensable to your company. Be an overachiever, have a hard to find skill, and contribute or help out without a request from anyone.
- Keep an ongoing “kudos file.” Every time you get an email from your boss, your boss’s boss, or customer, print it and send it to your home computer for safekeeping.
- Record your successes. If you work on a special project, pull overtime when a co-worker is sick, or come up with an innovative idea that is executed, notate it. It will be hard for you to remember months down the road at review time, and even harder for your manager, so write it down.
- Request periodic reviews. Don’t just rely on an annual review for feedback on your performance. Even if it’s just an informal discussion with your supervisor, make sure you are on task with their objectives. There is no excuse for being surprised with a bad appraisal.
- Participate in a variety of organizations. Join the professional groups in your industry and offer to be a mentor. Volunteer in the community; it’s a great way to give back and network at the same time.
- Embrace social media. Join LinkedIn (not an option!) and learn about other services (Twitter, Facebook) that may help your career. Start a blog and thoughtfully establish your brand.
- Stay ahead of the knowledge curve. Sign up for continuing ed classes, learn new industry processes, and keep up with technological advancements.
- Obtain references in writing. Don’t wait until you’re laid off to ask for them, and don’t rely on verbal references. Get them recorded in writing.
- Update your resume. Make your life easier if the unexpected happens. Who knows, that unexpected event may be an inquiry for your talent from a competitor.
- Have six months’ of your salary in savings. At least.
Even if you do everything right you can still be impacted by your company closing, inter-office politics, or a merger with duplication of staff. If you follow the advice above, these things will be unfortunate events, not horrible disasters. You will literally be able to start your new career search the next day, somewhat empowered, and more optimistic than your peers who will be blindsided and unprepared.
August, all great points that many people just take for granted. The way our economy is right now no one should assume their jobs are safe. Always finding ways to make yourself a greater asset to an organization as well as yourself should always be something that everyone strives to accomplish. WTG!
Great advice even for good times. Caring & getting “involved” with you job, being a real contributor and maintaining a positive enthusiastic attitude will always keep you on the a-list.
Requesting written references while you are still “enthusiastically” employed may not work for everyone though. It depends on the communication level you have with your manager and his/her common sense factir. A manager looking to compile the list of those to cut in a downsizing may take that as a signal you are interviewing. Unless there are signs that your job could be in jeopardy I would suggest skipping that step. I personally rely on live, verbal references over letters.
Good post August…Kudos to you for reaching out to help.
Thanks Paul for stopping by and for the reinforcement. I always learn a lot from your show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-ex-recruiter also.
Fran, you bring up a great point about requesting references while still employed. Especially if someone who is not active in managing their career, all of a sudden becomes a little too “enthusiatic,” well we both know where that can lead:-). Common sense must always prevail. Thanks for pointing that out.