Job Security - Not Quite Dead Yet

We are in the era, where massive downsizing is just another Monday headline. An average employee is often left pondering with questions on ‘how secure is my job’? As much as the economy and the job-market has changed, there are several ways to make your job secure. Naysayers say that the concept of a safe, secure job is passé but for those who haven’t found the calling of entrepreneurship alluring (yet), a job might still be the only feasible option. This post is on how you can create your own job-security regardless of your position, responsibility or experience.

Here are some tips to secure your job.

Be a Specialist

Let’s face it, specialists are always in demand. Unless your core skill gets sidelined by rapid changes in technology, you as a specialist will always have a job. Find your niche skill and hone it so that your company just cannot afford to even consider including you in a layoff-list. Once you are recognized as a specialist, figure out your second-best skill and work towards becoming a specialist in that skill too.

Do More

Remember, “There are no traffic jams along the extra mile”. When assigned a task/project, do just a little bit more than what is expected of you. In the long run, the extra work you do will be recognized and your boss/management will see you as an invaluable asset that should be retained under any changing business scenario.

Earn Trust

Trust is something that you can only earn with time. At your workplace earn the reputation as a trustworthy professional who takes up ownership and can handle tasks responsibly. The more your Manager is able to trust you, the more responsibilities will come your way and the more secure your job will be. Once you have the trust of your Manager/peers, it is equally important never to take it for granted and continue working with integrity.

Always Learn

It’s never too late or early to learn. At your job, always be keen on learning new things. Be it a new tool, marketing strategies or your company’s customer satisfaction best-practice, learning new skills and technologies will make you a more integral part of the company’s functioning. It’s also important that you focus on developing your “other-than” favorite technical skills to keep up with changing times. The best way to learn a new skill is by gaining some hands-on experience so make use of every opportunity.

Team Player

Productive teams are the mainstay of any successful enterprise. Even if you are Rockstar performer in your domain, ultimately you will have to work with a team to get the job done. It is important that you develop people/communication skills so that your value as an employee to the organization is recognized which in turn helps you build solid relationships with your Managers/peers.

A job might not be as secure as it used to be, but before you go into work remember these tips and know that you are doing your best to make your job as secure as you possibly can.