According to Statista, the world’s unemployment rate in 2020 was 5.42%. Many factors have been attributed to this figure. Companies nowadays are facing unease and abnormalities in their markets, especially during this pandemic. Almost all industries are immensely affected, resulting in employment lay-offs.
Many companies are taking alternative solutions to lessen costs, improvise sales, and generate more profits in such a predicament. Shifting to technology, outsourcing tasks to overseas workers, and hiring more contractual employees are just some of their action plans to survive this current global crisis somehow. Where does that leave them? As an employee in any company and industry, it’s coherent to say that job security is no longer a luxury that many can enjoy.
Many people who lost their jobs are starting to look for resources that can provide them with helpful tips to find a new job. But if you are just about lucky enough to retain your employment in these challenging times, take a look at these seven ways to ensure you can secure your job no matter how uncertain things get in your company.
- Constantly Update Your Skills
Letting go of workers with outdated skills is one of the sad realities most companies do in critical situations. If you’re an employee who seems to stay in your comfort zone, denying and resisting changes, then you’ll have to be prepared for such ill-fated consequences. To avoid this, you need to be in the know continually.
Many executives commend employees who are lifelong learners. Even if your employer doesn’t provide training programs and seminars for you to upgrade your skills, you should have the commitment and the initiative to do it on your own, for your own sake. By doing so, you will be perceived as someone who invests well in your future and is genuinely invested in contributing more value to the company.
As you generate newer skills and capabilities, you will discover a different side of you, which allows you to grow personally and professionally. Start by joining free online courses on how to boost your career skills. The internet offers a vast pool of resources for you to enhance your existing talents, so take advantage of them wisely.
You can understand better ways for you to learn and nurture your skills. Other means for skill improvement are reading self-help books, listening to TED talks, attending seminars, and enrolling in continuing education. Some are free, and some might require a fee. Yet, it’s all about taking the initiative to grow your career despite everything.
As you improve, you must show your company how much of an asset you are, and in the long run, you’ll gain the reputation as a self-starter who never slacks off. Accepting your weaknesses and highlighting your strengths will be easier when you improve your skills regularly.
- Support Your Company During Tough Times
Instead of being focused on your own welfare and turning a blind eye to your company’s struggles, it’s imperative to be considerate of the entire picture. These are challenging times not only for regular employees, but as well as managers and executives in the company. Keep in mind that your boss would most definitely want to make the employees as satisfied as possible, but simply can’t afford to do so in these difficult times. It is best to understand your company’s decisions toward new changes.
If your company disregards promotion opportunities or eliminates perks and bonuses, you must understand that such steps are necessary for the company to survive. Especially if you’re part of the skeleton crew, this is the best time to show support to your company. Offer helpful ideas and try to encourage other employees to see the silver lining behind such changes. Eventually, you can elevate your company’s status by showing that you empathize, understand, and handle every challenge maturely and professionally.
- Be Consistently Productive
No matter how long and hard you work, as long as you don’t achieve results and get things done, you won’t be on the safe side for employers. Change your working style if necessary, and be result-oriented. Think of solutions proactively and execute them effectively. If you want to secure your job, be consistent with your hard work, drive, and passion. When your employers assess your job performance at the end of the day, they can attest to how much effort and value you’ve poured out for your tasks.
What companies need right now, especially in this global pandemic, is an employee who can adapt to the ways of the company. Employers are also on the lookout for employees who roll up their sleeves and do the tasks at hand, no matter how trivial or challenging they are.
- Stand Out From The Rest
In a season when most employees work hard with tenacity, it’s all about the survival of the fittest. There’s no time to play the mediocre card—you must show everyone why you deserve to be retained as an employee. It’s not enough to put your head down and do your job like everyone else. Without being condescending nor arrogant, you should take the initiative to communicate your suggestions and contributions to the company.
Speak up during meetings and stay active in brainstorming sessions. Volunteer as much as possible, even when things get rough. Prove your worth as an employee and show the executives that they have made a smart decision to keep your employment.
A little more effort goes a long way. In this time of difficulties, sacrificing a bit more will make you stand out from the rest. In a pack of employees where everyone prefers to be unnoticed and stay extraordinary, choose to show the best version of yourself.
Standing out from the crowd is a piece of advice that applies to securing jobs and trying to be hired in a new company. There are many challenges job seekers face and competition is one of them. Having that drive or skill that other candidates don’t possess will give you an advantage.
- Be Cooperative And Easy To Work With
Despite all the stress and pressure, maintain a positive attitude at work. Remember that some employers and managers would most likely let go of employees who project a hostile atmosphere for everyone in the office. A whining attitude will leave you unemployed and will not help you accelerate in your ladder of success.
The current economic downfall that your company might be experiencing has already caused an emotional stir among the members of your organization. To secure your employment, you have to go through this phase without complaints.
Even if you show your grievances, circumstances won’t ever change easily since they’re beyond anyone’s control. Take it easy and be cooperative with your company’s management. Go with the flow and give them an easy time working with you. A rigid stick will most likely break with just a few bends—avoid being stiff and be more flexible and adaptive.
- Invest In Building Internal Relationships
It would help if you have a smooth relationship with your boss and your teammates, but it wouldn’t hurt to expand your circle. It’s not advisable to rely on very few key people in your organization. Try to be well-known throughout your company and send out signals of being open-minded to shifting to different departments. This way, the executives won’t have to let you go since they know you’re more than willing to be reassigned to several divisions.
Building your network internally is a winning situation for you, both interpersonally and professionally. Your skills will also add up as you engage in different conversations about areas you’re not familiar with. When the time comes for you to be transferred to another department, you can put your new knowledge to practice.
- Demonstrate Innovative Skills And Thinking
No matter what department or line of business you work for, always be equipped with innovative ideas to contribute to your company. If your firm is trying to cut costs, look for distinctive approaches that seem adequate in achieving such goals. Never stay in your comfort zone, and encourage other employees to think outside the box. Your company will appreciate the value you contribute to the company through your initiatives and innovative thinking.
Despite not being able to influence your company’s front liners directly, you can still help your department with your tangible suggestions and participation as a productive team player. Continuously improve ways in mentorship, training, and strategic planning.
Conclusion
In this current state of flux, it’s commonplace to feel unsafe and insecure. Even if there are no guarantees, these action steps will bolster your skillset. Do these tips as consistently as you can, and you will reap fruitful rewards in the fullness of time. The challenging situation that most companies face right now might trigger more unemployment cases. But as long as you continue to apply these helpful pieces of advice, you can give your employers more reasons to keep you.
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