keeping your job in a tough economy

Now is the time to take steps to keep your job. You can keep your job, even in a bad economy. But, start soon, not later, to take the steps necessary to keep your job.

Jay Himes, Executive Director of Student Services and Programming at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, suggests you need to take a good look at yourself and your contributions. "Employees' work and accomplishments speak for themselves. Look at your organization; ask yourself, 'If I wanted to start a company that does what my firm does and I could take X number of people from here, who would I take?'

"If you aren't on the list, why not? There are two possible reasons.
•"The company doesn't need someone who does what you do. This is often the case for people who are far removed from the firm's customers, or whose job is primarily rooted in the bureaucracy. If your job is about building speed bumps and not about enablement, this is a warning sign.
•"You are not providing superior value. Is this a training or education issue? Is it commitment -- does your work day have work or procrastination in it? Is the issue that you have relational trouble with your coworkers?

"If you honestly evaluate yourself and move to correct the issues, there is still time. Your bosses and coworkers will notice improvement. If you wait until layoffs come it will be too late."

After you evaluate your contribution and prospects and assess the viability of your employer, you are ready to make decisions. In any case, if your current employer appears to be taking appropriate actions for these tough economic times, you will want to ensure that you keep your job -- for as long as you want your job.

In a recent poll, readers weighed in on their current strategy for keeping their job.

These ten steps will help you keep your job or help you prepare for a semi-predictable, but often unanticipated, job change.

Ten Steps to Help You Keep Your Job

 •Be the Go-to, Indispensible Person Who Has Needed Organization Knowledge
•Make Your Contributions Measurable and Visible to the Right People
•Make Money for the Company: Contribute to Revenue Generation, Sales, Profit
•Ask for More Work and More Challenging Assignments
•Make Sure Your Manager Likes You; Invest Genuine Time, Compliments, Attention
•Be a Low Maintenance Employee: No Complaining, Whining or Monopolizing
•Work Long Hours and Make Sure the Right People Notice
•Keep Your Personal and Professional Skills Growing and Developing
•Team Build With Coworkers: Cooperate to Achieve Goals and Success for All
•Take Your Talents and Skills to a More Recession-proof Company or Job

Switch to a More Recession-proof Job or Career

Despite your best efforts - you've done everything recommended to keep your job - but maybe the job's not worth keeping. If the information you receive, when you scope your environment at work, leaves you concerned about job security, it may be time for a job search.

Or, maybe the company's prospects leave you open for a different conversation. You're one of the lucky employees in a job and on a career path still in demand. Or perhaps it's time to consider a different career since the economy is unlikely to improve quickly.

You may want to switch to a more recession-proof career or take your talents and skills to a more recession proof company.

But, in the meantime, before and while you pursue different career opportunities, focus on how to keep your job.

Source: Susan M. Heathfield, Human Resources Guide