With job losses and lay offs becoming more common with each passing day, I’m becoming more and more concerned with improving my job performance. Luckily, I’ve worked in a few high-stress environments, so I’ve got some great ideas about securing your job. Here’s what I do to make a lay off less likely for me.
1. I Make Myself Irreplaceable …
If I get the sense that job losses are going to happen in my work place, I go out of my way to appear irreplaceable to my bosses. This means I don’t share too much of what I’m doing with others, and I take credit for every little thing I accomplish. It may seem like you’re tooting your own horn, but I do what I’ve got to do to keep my job! Check out these other tips that will show you How to Make Yourself Irreplaceable at Work!
2. I Have a Great Attitude …
If my office gets negative, I stay totally positive. I work hard to be cheerful and chipper in the workplace. I find that complainers are often the first ones to go, so I try very hard to be happy and appear like I really enjoy my job so I can keep it!
3. I Go a Step Beyond …
If I’m feeling the heat of job pressures, I make sure to cross every t and dot every i on everything I do. When I’m working on a project, I go that extra mile to make everything look perfect. My presentations are flawless, and I make sure I spell-check everything that has my name on it!
4. I Don’t Gossip …
When things aren’t going well in a business, you can always tell by the gossip. Bosses almost always know what people are saying and who’s saying it. So, when I sense the pressure’s getting intense, I make sure to stay away from all that office drama, and it always seems to make points for me with management. Here are some useful thoughts on how you can Stop Gossiping at Work and How Gossiping about Your Colleagues Can Make You Look Bad …
5. I Volunteer …
Standing up and being willing to take on the tough projects always makes me shine in front of the bosses. I’ve found that an employer will be a lot less likely to fire me if they can count on me to do the “dirty work” that most people don’t want to do.
6. I Listen More, Talk Less …
In meetings, I let other people do most of the talking. If I’ve got a great idea, I throw it out there, but sometimes it makes sense to fly under the radar a little bit. Sometimes, oversharing and talking too much can just put a target on your back!
7. I Don’t Look Nervous …
I think it is very important to project the right attitude and picture myself getting what I want. So, I don’t spend time worrying about losing my job – or at least I try to look like I don’t! I try to get my bosses to see me as a confident go-getter, not a worry wart. If acting calm is not your strongest point, you might find these tips on How to Avoid Looking Nervous pretty helpful!
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8. I Build My Skills …
When I think jobs might be on the line, I try to make myself more marketable to my current employer as well as future potential employers just in case things go all wrong. I go out and take an extra class, attend a workshop, or otherwise get additional training to improve my job skills.
Im trying to be more available at my job…like when others call out or have off on a day that is my usual day off! It’s tough out there today…and I would like to keep my job. Great post!
Dear Katie,
My colleague in work is bossing me and making me nervous each day that I’ve reached my limits, my boss is usually out of town and I am trying to tell him but still haven’t had the chance, I feel it’s the last hope for me but I don’t want to look childish telling him about it, please let me know what to do?
Thanks, Maram
I would add that you should continue to learn, both on the job and off. Companies want employees who continue to evolve. We want to hire and retain employees who are able to take a simple project and turn around a result that exceeds expectations. I am the Chief of Staff at Zayo Group and I write a blog that gives business tips, tricks and training. The really good employees read the blog and excel at their jobs. They even guest blog to share their tips, tricks and humor.
Hi Maram,
I think you’ve got to stand up to your colleague and let him or her know that you won’t take being bossed around. If it were a superior, it would be different, but if this person is your colleague and an equal in the workplace, he/she has no position to be telling you what to do. I would frame it in a very professional manner in a formal conversation, and I would have a trusted, reliable coworker along as a witness in case things get nasty.
Good luck!