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Recession
We have heard it called an economic slowdown but are we really in a recession. Well, let's first look at what a recession is, the National Bureau of Economic Research defines it as ''a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales.'' The national media describes it as a period of negative growth in gross domestic product for two consecutive quarters. Either definition you choose to use the bottom line is we are assuredly in a recession.
What does this mean to you and your current employment? Strategic Business adviser Carter Schelling advised in an article to the Philadelphia Business Journal that not only should business owners gauge the market and consumers resistance to the recession but to replace unhappy workers with those more motivated and energetic. His position is that businesses become more efficient at what they do in hard economic times. Not really encouraging advice for job security during a recession, however, this is something we can learn from.
What if My Job is at Risk?
If you feel your head could be on the chopping block at any moment, there are some things you can do to place yourself in a stronger position.
1) It may seem like a simple idea but check your attitude. If you are constantly complaining about your job, boss or working conditions when it comes time for cutbacks you will be the first to go. In fact, your employer may feel they are helping you out if you are so miserable. Besides that, bad attitudes make for a miserable working environment for everyone and lead to lost productivity. Do you want job security during a recession? Be more pleasant to work with and around.
2) When the markets can change in an instant, it should go without saying that now is a bad time to take that vacation time you have coming. By the time you return, your employer could have found that you were not missed and therefore, your position is expendable. Not the message you want your employer to get in times like these. Similarly, it is also not a good time to continue to be chronically late; even if it has worked in times past, today businesses are looking in every corner to cut cost. Do not let them look to your corner and find it empty.
3) Be indispensable to your employer; help find ways to save money for your company. Be creative in cutting expenses and creating new revenue, shut off lights when they are not in use, look for cheaper supplies, anything that says you are willing to be an agent of savings for the company.
4) Go above and beyond the call of duty, if your reputation is one of doing only what is required of you then you place your job at risk. Job safety during a recession is going to be a no holds barred fight to stay on top. You have to begin to see things from the company's perspective. If you had to cut a position to save your business who would you get rid of, the person willing to do their job plus someone else's? Alternatively, the person just getting their job done? When you shift your perspective, many ideas for job security during a recession will seem perfectly reasonable.
5) Along with the above advice, consider continuing education as a job safety during a recession tactic. Staying tuned into the latest updates and trends in your market will help make you invaluable to your employer. Join trade organizations or even go back to school to further your skills and knowledge. It is going to require smart committed people to carry a business through tough economic times. Besides when your boss sees that you are investing personal time in improving your abilities they will know you are serious about your career.
6) Keep your networking skills sharp, stay in contact with previous employers and potential new ones. Take the time to have lunch or drinks with former colleagues to keep the communication lines open. They will be more inclined to aid you in finding a new position if you have stayed in touch or even helped them out when you did not have to.
7) Finally keep that resume up to date and keep a sharp eye out for new opportunities. It never hurts to be prepared for an eventual lay off; even if it never materializes, you may find an opportunity for a better position. When we are prepared ahead of time it takes away much of the stress of finding yourself suddenly unemployed.
Conclusion
Economists cannot agree on whether we are in a recession or not nevertheless, it is easy to see that we need to be proactive when it comes to our employment. No one is going to better at protecting your job than you plus when we are active participants we feel more confident. Who knows you may be in a position that is perfectly secure but why not go that extra mile anyway? Following any of the steps above could move you into positions that you have not yet imagined. Job safety during a recession is possible but it is up to you.
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