Tips to help keep your job secure
Under federal law, it is not necessary that an employee be permitted to leave the premises during a break. Credit: iStock
As the economy continues to heal from the Great Recession, job security is more important than ever to most workers. Employees can preserve job security by making sure they are irreplaceable to their companies, says Laurence Shatkin in his new book, "150 Best Jobs for a Secure Future."
"Sometimes jobs are threatened because a particular business gets into trouble even though the economy may be in good shape," says Shatkin. "(But) even a prosperous business may need to lay off workers."
"Whatever the reason for the layoffs, you may be able to hang onto your job if you're irreplaceable. You need to be so vital to the business that it can't go on without you."
Here are some of Shatkin's tips:
-- Many businesses diversify and serve several functions, but usually there's a central mission that makes money and determines if the business will succeed or fail. Identify that central function and play a role in it. Identify the skills the business needs for future development of this function and acquire them.
-- Accept change. Keep abreast of new business methods, especially for handling communication and information, and find ways to use them in your work.
-- Be exceptionally productive. This doesn't necessarily mean working longer hours. It's more important to find a task or role you can handle that goes beyond your job description. In many businesses, the person whose office is next to the boss' tends to get the best performance appraisals. If you don't have that office, find ways to make your accomplishments known. Don't wait for performance-appraisal season.
-- Acquire a mentor. Find someone who really knows the business; be helpful; and ask a lot of specific questions, including questions about how to improve your work. Give public credit to the mentor for the advice you get.
-- Be pleasant. Be someone customers like to deal with. Find ways to say positive things about co-workers and promote their accomplishments. Abrasiveness or whining may make you stand out, but for the wrong reasons. If you really can't get along with some people in your work group, try to be transferred to one where you'll fit in better.
(Marvin Walberg is a job-search coach based in Birmingham, Ala. For contact information, see marvin-walberg.com.)
