How To Maintain Employment In The Toughest Job Market

It's all about being proactive and realizing you are ultimately responsible for your actions. So often we are in a mindset that we are trapped in a job and therefore cruise along on autopilot, at the mercy of our employer. With the current high unemployment numbers, it is easy to see why so many people believe they better stay put and not make any waves. But this mindset leaves you vulnerable to your employer's whims especially if you hunker down and "just do your job." This mindset says don't question processes already in place, go with the status quo, and don't come up with new ideas or products for risk of outshining or offending your boss. But you could be setting yourself up for a headcount reduction.

There are 5 skills which can be instrumental in maintaining continuous employment through good times and bad. There are no guarantees in life, but you can stack the deck in your favor by developing these skills. More important than any job, is maintaining your self-worth. If you develop and practice these five proficiencies, you will be a step ahead of the game. Not only will you feel more secure about your future and how you make a living, but you will exhibit confidence and be a more productive employee. The upward spiral of your career can be set in motion by adoption of these skills.

The ability to recognize what's going on around you gives you a better understanding of your industry, products, competitors, and the economy in general. This will make you a more well-rounded, knowledgeable, and valuable employee and give you the insight to better position your company, and its products, in the marketplace.

Being proactive helps in all of your business dealings; whether its getting a report done on time, thinking of your customers needs before they do, or implementing a beneficial, new process before your boss asks you to.

You are going to have a bad manager or self-centered company officer now and then. Learning to deal with lousy managers gives you an edge your co-workers may not have. If it becomes unbearable, only you will know its time to move on to another organization. But if you are still learning and progressing in the company, you may want to manage the situation a little longer until timing is right for a change. The key to maintaining continuous employment is taking charge of your own career and making the change on your timing and terms versus your employers.

A mentor relationship can assist you to navigate the corporate minefields and position you to move ahead in your organization. A good mentor can be your sounding board for the twists and turns that come your way and she can give advice from her own experience. The more information you have at your disposal the better equipped you are to handle everyday situations and you will be better prepared for any and all changes along your career path.

Lastly, networking with industry colleagues, old college friends, church groups, fellow parents of your daughter's soccer team, or any potential employers, can only increase your knowledge of the job market and enhance your marketability, if or when you need to make a job change.

By being proactive, you are looking out for your own interests (first) while taking care of yourself and your career. As a byproduct, you are building your self-esteem making you more productive as a person and adding value as future opportunities are presented.

Richard S. Pearson is the Author of 5 Necessary Skills to Keep Your Career on Track. He has held vice-president positions with four multibillion dollar travel industry companies and three Internet early stage companies. He has a BA degree from Regis University in Organizational Development. His experience has given him a unique perspective on how to navigate the organizational structures of both large and small companies. He has hired and trained hundreds of employees from frontline salespeople to vice presidents, and coached many through their careers. He is currently working of facilitating the large increase of travel between the US and China, which is taking place. http://www.5necessaryskills.com

I Hate My Job [But Not Doing Anything About It]: Take Charge of Your Career

How many times have you heard a friend, colleague, or relative say “I hate my job?”  It seems to be a reoccurring topic with many people – one that can be very tiresome.  “I only have ten years to retirement and I can’t wait to get out of this place.”  “I despise my boss – I know she is out to get me.”  “This job totally stresses me out, it’s ruining my life.”  There are many variations but it’s the same old theme.  You can’t help but recognize the tone of helplessness in their voices.  Is it a societal issue that we are not responsible for what happens to us, somebody else always has to bear the blame? 

 

Too often we cruise on autopilot and accept what a company or job gives us.  Especially in today’s tough job market, you will hear “jobs are scarce and I can’t afford to risk making a change.”  But these are usually the same people who complain a lot, and shoulder stress, without taking action even in prosperous times.  Stephen R. Covey states, “Many people wait for something to happen or someone to take care of them.  But the people who end up with the good jobs are the proactive ones who are solutions to problems, not problems themselves, who seize the initiative to do whatever is necessary, consistent with correct principles, to get the job done.”

 

Does anyone really believe that they are going to get a tweet on Twitter, a FaceBook message, an email, or knock on the door stating, “we’ve been on an extensive search looking for someone just like you.”  The fact is you are responsible for your career choices.  Only you have the power to be proactive and take the initiative to make a change, if change is needed.  If you have a horrible boss or work environment, you have to take responsibility to either work with team members to improve the situation or start making plans to move on. 

 

The key is to make a plan.  This doesn’t necessarily involve quitting your job.  It may very well be setting your sights on a different position within your company and proactively going after that job.  Don’t do anything rash – half the battle is recognizing there is a problem – then developing a conscious plan to do something about it.  This should be a written plan and shared with a trusted mentor or respected friend to get another viewpoint.  You need to look within and determine what you really want to be doing.  Because you can’t have a real plan, until you establish the goal.  What can you become totally immersed in and enjoy going to work to do?  This is usually easier said than done.  It must be practical and reasonably attainable, but nonetheless what you really have a vision of doing.  We can’t all venture off to Africa with the Peace Corp. on a humanitarian mission, as we have other life commitments.  It may require several intermediary steps, like going back to school for an advanced degree, getting a shorter term well-paying job to save money to start your own business, or getting an entry level job in the field of your dreams to allow you to work toward the position you desire.

 

Take control of your career (and life) by not accepting the status Quo until it’s too late.  Life is too short!