Want to save your job? Here are tips

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - If you want to save your job, be on the offense and keep things in perspective.

Ann Byars from GVSU provides these tips for keeping and saving your job:

In this tough economy, you need to remind yourself, “I’m happy to have a job.” The corporate culture may be unpleasant and demanding as cuts are made and more work lands on your desk, but it’s time to put things in perspective and take the steps necessary to secure your future.

(From CNNMoney.com):

-Approximately 60% of employers plan to do layoffs in 2009.

-The job market is not expected to bounce back until 2011.

-The number of employers planning to freeze pay jumped from 4-13% and is still growing.

-Today’s unemployment rate for college-educated workers is the highest it’s been since 1992.

Given these facts, what can you do to help yourself and create job security?

1. Your relationship with your boss.

It is paramount that the relationship between the two of you is smooth. This may mean that you have to take the initiative to create a positive synchrony. Most likely, your boss is feeling extra pressure from the top, and their stress level is high. Ask yourself what you can do to help make their job easier. During your next meeting, ask specifically about performance objectives, and create 30 and 60-day plans that reflect those goals. Seek regular reviews of your work to monitor your progress and ensure you are spending your time on the highest priority tasks. Self manage as much as possible to free up time for your boss. If your relationship with your boss is less than pleasant, take on the responsibility of fixing it. Most likely your boss isn’t “out to get you” and the more valuable you are to him/her, the less likely that is to happen.

2. Have an outside source of success.

Placing all of your emotional gratification in your career right now may prove disheartening. Set personal goals, even if they are small, so that your feeling of worth is increasing overall even if not so at work. As hours increase, work-life balance may be a foreign concept. This isn’t the time to ask for an extended vacation or more personal time. Studies show generally happy, pleasant people are the least likely to get fired, so spend the small amount of personal time you do have in satisfying activities that bring you joy.

3. Update your skills and know your industry. Take a class, read a trade journal, go to a seminar or conference to get fresh, innovative ideas. Show your boss that you are a lifetime learner who is always thinking forward and who knows where the industry is going.

4. Take on additional responsibilities. Work smarter, and this doesn’t necessarily mean adding 10 hours a week to your time card. Become a more effective time manager and decide in what area you excel. You don’t need to be the best at everything; be the best at saving the company money and working efficiently; this is where you become indispensible. At this point, the status quo is not acceptable.

5. Build your network and save your money.

Reconnect with your personal network to create a backup plan. Many opportunities come through networking as opposed to traditional job seeking avenues. And sit down with your budget; make cuts. Put as much into savings as possible while living lean. This will ease your stress as you think about a potential layoff.

6. Don’t stir the pot. No gossip, badmouthing or creating drama. These individuals are the first to go. Be a good corporate citizen. If you can’t be positive, be neutral.

7. Take care of yourself. This is a knowledge economy, making you the product. If you appear haggard and worn, your boss will lose confidence. Simple steps will make a big difference: eat healthier, exercise, take a vitamin, go to be earlier, etc.

8. Don’t be high maintenance. Complaints, even small, make you seem like a liability. Your boss doesn’t care to spend his/her time listening to petty issues. Firing is 90% subjective, and in this case, the squeaky wheel will be rolling away.

9. If you’re looking at a layoff, try to negotiate. Would they consider keeping you on for a lower salary or putting you at part time? When the market turns around, things could return to normal, or at very least this idea keeps you employed while you search for other opportunities.

10. Keep your personal life in order, and personal. The internet, including social networking sites and blogs, should not be an outlet for your frustrations. Don’t think nobody is watching. Don’t isolate yourself socially; go to the golf outing, Holiday party and remain part of the group.

As you weather the storm, the above tips are basically behavioral; small alignments in work habits and attitude that make big differences.