Jump-Start Your Job Security

  By Jessica Chipkin —

Be Positive, Proactive and Predictable

The current economic climate presents both challenges and opportunities. There’s nothing like the risk of layoffs to drive us to rethink and amend our employment situations. The consequences of inaction now can cost you your job later. If your company is in downsizing mode, you can be sure it is seeing everyone a little differently now. Just as management may be taking steps to cut nonessential vendors, questionable projects and low-performing employees, you, too, should be taking steps to safeguard your job.

Rather than letting anxiety defeat you, quickly assess your situation, create your plan and discipline yourself to carry it out. By following some of these basic suggestions now and throughout your career, you stand a much better of chance of making yourself indispensable and securing your future. 

Jessica Chipkin has been working with and writing about software professionals for more than two decades. She can be reached at editor@certmag.com.

Living Through a Layoff

by Treva O’Banion

If you are the most valuable person during a business boom, you probably will be the most valuable person when times are tough, too. That’s because when companies select employees for layoffs, they aren’t just looking at the past 30 days of performance. Prior work history and performance evaluations are the deciding factors. Further, your boss most likely will be able to tell if your behavior changes only after layoff rumors circulate in the break room.

Assuming you survive a layoff, you now face its stressful aftermath. In addition to continuing your previous efforts, here are a few more things to keep in mind:

• Fight the urge to retrench. Your company is counting on you even more now.
• Fill voids. Layoffs create opportunities that may not have been open to you even a week before. Look for the new challenges and take the initiative.
• Remember that you are human. Layoffs aren’t fun for anyone. Both stress and expectations are increasing. Work friends may be lost. You may be worrying about subsequent rounds of layoffs. It’s OK to acknowledge this is a tough time. Make sure you use your support network and keep up with hobbies or activities that allow you to de-stress and forget about the job for a while. 

Treva O’Banion is director of the program management office at Mercer Retirement Technology Group. She can be reached at editor@certmag.com.