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Last Friday, the
U.S. government released the nation's latest employment data. And
the numbers aren't pretty. Another 240,000 jobs were lost in October
and the unemployment rate jumped to 6.5 percent, the highest it's
been since March 1994.
Unless you're
an undertaker or bankruptcy attorney, it seems like no job is safe
in this uncertain economy.
If you've been
a casualty, I encourage you to read the following Newsweek article.
A number of experts (myself included) provide some sound advice on
what to do if you've lost your job.
For the rest of
you, this isn't the time to hunker down and hope you're not the next
victim. Take charge of your career! There are a number of things you
can do to reduce your chances of being laid off. I've included them
in the article below.
Stephen Viscusi,
author of the book "Bulletproof Your Job: Four Strategies to
Ride Out the Tough Times and Come Out on Top at Work", says the
key to staying employed is:
Be visible,
even if it means giving up telecommuting.
Be easy, even
if it means negotiating a reduced salary.
Be useful,
even if it means volunteering for assignments no one else wants.
Be ready to
jump ship if opportunities outside your company become available.
Here are five
other ways to improve your chances of staying employed:
1. Constantly
demonstrate your value to your company.
Look for opportunities
to showcase your talents and special skills. Focus your work on high
priority assignments that have the greatest impact on your company's
bottom line.
2. Promote
your accomplishments.
Don't assume your
boss (or other execs) recognize your contributions. Regularly update
your supervisor on your progress. Whenever possible, include financial
impacts, such as increased sales revenue, expense savings, etc. When
you receive compliments from clients or customers, ask them to put
it in writing so you can share them with the powers-that-be.
3. Take advantage
of "bad" times.
As companies downsize,
the "survivors" are often asked to pick up the additional
work. Understandably, this causes resentment and hard feelings. Instead
of complaining, look at this as an opportunity to increase your value
to your organization. Then, even if you are laid off, this additional
experience and responsibility will make you that much more employable.
4. Make yourself
indispensable to clients.
Most companies
go out of their way to make sure their payroll cuts have the least
impact on clients. The more valuable you are to your clients (both
internal and external) the more secure your job will be.
5. Be positive.
Be optimistic
and maintain a positive attitude. Not only will you be more productive
(and perceived as adding more value than the complainers), you'll
also live longer. One study showed that optimistic people had a 55
percent lower risk of death from all causes and 23 percent lower risk
of death from heart failure.
"The biggest
mistake you can make is to believe you are working for somebody else.
Job security is gone. The driving force of a career must come from
the individual. Remember: Jobs are owned by the company, you own your
career."
Earl Nightingale
"Why are
CEO's who slash jobs so proud of themselves? Instead of bragging about
'cutting fat,' they ought to be getting up before their employees
and saying, 'We did such a lousy job of planning and hiring that we
have more people than work. And we are so broke and so dim-witted
that we can't come up with any way to get more work. So our only solution
is to send a lot of good people home. I am ashamed and I am sorry.'"
Dale Dauten
"The number
one thing is to be one of those people who gets a lot of work done
very well, very fast. Don't be scared into submission by all the downsizing
activity. That's exactly the wrong message to take."
EXECUTIVE COACHING: Garfinkle Executive Coaching provides individualized,
customized coaching to help you move to higher levels of leadership
by creating impact, exercising influence, boosting visibility and
achieving significant victories on key projects. http://www.garfinkleexecutivecoaching.com/
CAREER COACHING: You spend one-third of your life at
work, so you deserve to feel fulfilled by it. Joel's unique 7-Step
Dream Job Process focuses first and foremost on helping you find the
perfect job that aligns with your passions and natural talents. http://www.dreamjobcoaching.com/coaching/career/
SPEAKING: Frequent speaker at keynotes, meetings, conventions
and seminars. He will energize your keynotes, meetings, conventions
and seminars with his compelling and inspirational speaking style.
http://www.garfinkleexecutivecoaching.com/speaking.html
EMPLOYEE OUTPLACEMENT PROGRAM:This
proven 9-step program provides unique, personalized services to displaced
workers. Whether you are a manager on your first job or a seasoned,
high-level executive, you will receive intensive one-on-one attention
and support to help you move quickly and successfully through the
job search process. http://www.outplacement-firm.com/
