Protect Your Ability...

Protect Your Ability to Earn Income

In today’s uncertain economy, job changes are sometimes forced on people when companies go out of business, lay off employees due to cost savings measures, or just downsize due to competitive pressures. Take the following quiz to see whether you’re prepared to face the next round of cuts:

• Have you conducted a recent (and honest!) assessment of your strengths and weaknesses at work?
• Have you recently reviewed your job description to make sure that you’re exceeding in your job responsibilities?
• Do you hear about jobs that are available in other companies but aren’t advertised?
• When your co-workers leave your company to take a new job, do they recommend you for any open positions in their new company?
• Have you found easy ways to gain further education or training in your chosen career?

If you didn’t answer yes to all these questions, perhaps you’re not as secure in your current job as you imagine or as well prepared to make a job change. Your career and financial goals are too important to leave in the hands of your employer. Don’t let yourself be surprised or unprepared. Instead, concentrate on meeting the recommendations in this strategy.

Make Yourself Indispensible

No one is 100 percent indispensable, but you should strive to become an employee that your company would have difficulty replacing. Not only does this strategy reduce the likelihood of your receiving a layoff notification, but it also puts you in the driver’s seat in terms of potential promotions, raises, and other workforce benefits. Here are some ways to become almost irreplaceable:

• Take initiative. Take on new responsibilities outside of your current job description. Bring your manager solutions, not new problems. Jump in to help your company when staff vacancies occur.
• Keep your skills up-to-date. Stay current in your field of knowledge. Read industry magazines and reports, monitor pending legislation and technology advancements, and learn new software that can make you more efficient.
• Develop an impeccable reputation of dependability. Do your homework and be prepared for meetings and projects. Meet deadlines. Be punctual. Take responsibility for your actions and mistakes to highlight your professional integrity.
• Be a considerate and positive team player. Maintain a positive attitude and don’t keep company with complainers or naysayers. Be nice to your co-workers and support them. Prove yourself to be trustworthy and someone for inexperienced members of your organization to look up to.

It takes a lot of hard work to establish a positive reputation, but it’s fairly easy to develop a negative one. Pay attention to how others perceive you and listen openly to performance feedback. Take prompt measures to fix any issues that have resulted in your being viewed as less than a model employee.

Boost Your Networking Skills

One crucial skill during uncertain economic times is your ability to network. Professional relationships can be a great source of referrals to potential job openings. Don’t let shyness get in your way of building a strong list of personal contacts. Follow these simple steps:

• Always be open to meeting new people. Start conversations with strangers, and don’t forget to exchange business cards. Join professional organizations and go to meetings to develop a wider range of contacts.
• Keep your contact information organized and easily accessible. You never know when you may need to ask someone to make an introduction for you into a company. Consider creating a database or special file of contacts. Be sure to keep in touch so you can stay abreast of changes in their career as well as contact information.
• Never burn bridges when you leave a job. Previous co-workers or supervisors can provide great leads to potential jobs as well as provide informal personal references.
• Write articles for trade or industry periodicals. Not only is it fun to see your name in print, but you also increase your professional profile within your industry.
• Remember that networking is a two-way street. Your professional relationships can be a great asset to you throughout your career, but don’t drop the ball when someone asks you for help.
• Don’t forget to thank your contacts for their help. A personalized thank-you note goes a long way to show your appreciation for the help you received. Remember that you may need their help again someday.

Many open jobs are filled by word of mouth. Most employers are more comfortable hiring applicants who are recommended by trusted employees or partners versus hiring qualified candidates who just walk in from the street. Make sure your contacts are recommending you for these jobs!

Even if you’re content in your job, always keep your eyes open for new and better opportunities. Many of the best career opportunities come when you’re least expecting them. In case you want to respond to a sudden opportunity, make sure your resume is up to date and relevant. (Resumes For Dummies, 5th Edition, written by Joyce Lain Kennedy and published by Wiley, contains many helpful hints for preparing your resume.)

Broaden Your Skill Set

Today’s most effective employees don’t allow life’s circumstances to get in the way of their full income potential. These individuals embrace the concept of lifelong learning, finding this journey both rewarding and enjoyable. Make a conscious effort to develop your own plan for continuing to learn and grow in your job. These simple steps allow you to be better prepared for your next job opportunity:

• Conduct a personal skill review. Check your last company performance evaluation and make sure you’re actively improving noted areas of weakness. Compare your skills to those required by new jobs you may pursue — the Internet is a great resource for conducting both skill and salary research.
• Develop a career path. Create a roadmap that can take you from your current job to your dream job. Break it into a series of realistic baby steps. Document the skills required to take you from today’s job to tomorrow’s.
• Capitalize on your natural skills and interests. When people do what they love, success becomes a natural byproduct. Build on your strengths by finding ways to improve your skills in your current position.
• Act now, while you’re still employed. Having the right skills and qualifications for any position you apply for is essential, so start developing those new skills or get the training while you’re still employed.
• Take advantage of easily accessible training tools. There are many simple ways to gain additional training; you just need to look for them.

They include the following:


Reading business books and training manuals
Watching training videos
Attending industry seminars and conferences
Researching industry topics on the Internet
Learning from a mentor
Attending adult education classes
Downloading podcasts to your MP3 player and listening to them in your car or while you exercise

Go Back to School

Whether you’re going back to school to gain a competitive edge in the job market, obtaining additional education to keep current with changes in your field, or working toward your dream job, have a plan to choose the right school:

1. Select a certification or degree that’s widely recognized.

2. Pick an accredited school.

3. Decide how you want to attend classes.

4. Leave no stone unturned when looking for financial assistance.

Ask your human resources office whether your company offers a tuition assistance program or whether you’ll be reimbursed for all or a portion of your tuition. Visit your school’s financial aid officer to see whether you’re eligible for any low cost loans, assistanceships, fellowships, scholarships, or grants. Research private grants or scholarships. Depending on your family income level, you may qualify for the Hope Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit (see www·irs·ustreas·gov/taxtopics/tc605·html). Also prepare a free application for federal student aid at www·fafsa·ed·gov; it can’t hurt to give it a try!