How to Keep Your Job When it Seems Like Everyone Else is Losing Theirs.

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 manager’s downsizing list if your company restructures.

• Make yourself indispensable to your company. Be an overachiever, have a hard to find skill, and contribute without a request from anyone.
• Keep an ongoing “kudos file.” Every time you get an email complimenting your work from your manager or a 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 coworker 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 boss, so write it down.
• Request periodic reviews. Don’t just rely on an annual review for feedback on your performance. Even if it’s only 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 while networking at the same time.
• Embrace social media. Join LinkedIn (not an option!) and learn about other services (Twitter, Facebook, et al) 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 if possible.
• 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 affected 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 career search the next day, somewhat empowered, and better equipped than your peers who didn’t exercise proactive career management.

August Cohen is an award-winning, triple certified resume expert and executive coach guiding determined professionals in achieving their next-level career goals. Supporting jobseekers in all aspects of modern career management, her services encompass powerful branded resumes, focused interview practice sessions, and targeted job search strategies. Recently featured in the Yahoo! HotJobs article “Resume Writer Secrets for Pumping Up What You Know,” August is also a contributor to the upcoming books, “The Twitter Job Search Guide” and “Step-by-Step Cover Letters: Build a Cover Letter in 10 Easy Steps using Personal Branding,” both from JIST Publishing, 2010.
 

Written by :

August Cohen