15 Steps You Can Take to Secure Your Job ...

By Katie

15 Steps You Can Take to Secure Your Job ...

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.

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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 ...
I Don't Gossip ...

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.

Famous Quotes

To give oneself earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.

Confucius
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.

9

I do More than My Job Description ...

If things are getting tense around the workplace, I try to branch my work out into things that aren't normally my responsibility. This is just another way of making yourself less likely to be fired. If my bosses see that I'm capable of doing more, they'll be more likely to keep me. Read more on this matter at MoneyCNN.com.

10

I Meet Deadlines ...

Sometimes, it happens ... a deadline just creeps up on me, and I don't have my project completed. Or, I forget to turn something in on time. However, when jobs are as hard to come by as they are right now, there's no room for errors. I really keep an updated calendar, and I check it every day to make sure I'm 100% prepared. Read these 14 Essential Tips for Meeting Deadlines for more info.

11

I Have No Excuses ...

On occasion, it's okay to have a good excuse for not getting something done, for having to miss a meeting, or for not making everything you do pure perfection. Right now, I don't think it is that time. So, I'm not having any excuses. I'm not leaving early for doctor's appointments, taking long lunches, or presenting anything that isn't top-notch.

12

I'm Punctual ...

When times get tough, bosses can look for any reason to let someone go, and my goal is not to give them a reason at all. I'm completely on time now to everything. Even if I have to come with no eye makeup on or with my shoes barely tied, I'm at work on time. I'm in my seat when the meeting starts, and I'm on the phone several minutes early whenever there's a schedule conference call. Do you think you might need to work on your time management? Check out these great Tips on How To Be Punctual for very useful tactics.

13

I Dress Nicer ...

I Dress Nicer ... Speaking of shoes and makeup, I dress up a little bit when things get tight around the office. I think it pays to dress to impress, and I also believe in dressing for the job you want. So, since I want this job I've got, I dress like I enjoy coming to work and view it as a professional place. This extra effort always impresses the bosses and makes me seem more like a go-getter. Check out 10 Things Every Stylish Woman Should Have… for more ideas on how to style up your look.

14

I Get Detail-Oriented ...

Sometimes being a big-picture person is awesome, but I've found in these tough times that bosses just want a girl who can get the job done. So, I'm focusing on the details of my assignments... checking all my numbers, making sure all assignments look great, keeping things totally professional. I want to give an air of complete competence.

15

I Limit Personal Time ...

Now's the time when I start cutting back on personal phone calls, text messages, or quick Facebook status updates. I don't want to take any chances on a boss coming up and thinking I'm not taking work seriously. Right now, I want to look like the consummate professional at work, and that means focusing on work only.

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Those are the little precautions I take in times like these to** help my position at work be more secure**. I hope you can apply some of these ideas to improve your standing in your workplace! Do you have any other great tips? Post them below, because we could all use them in times like these!

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

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.

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!

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!

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