10 Tips on How to Use The Basic Employee Skills to Raise The Prospects of Retaining Your Job During The Good Times and The Bad

Unemployment, a cause for concern, can create a great amount of deprivation and a lot of misery. Within the family, the missing paycheck means a reduction in the quality of life they can enjoy, and this can lead to tension, depression and even marital breakdown. Therefore, it is imperative that one works hard to retain the job he / she has, especially if the economy is sliding in a big recession. Why is that?

It is during this time that companies often put a freeze on hiring, and suddenly the job market becomes highly competitive; when you find too many people chasing too few jobs. So finding employment during this time can be very frustrating. This article shows 10 basic things one can do to increase the prospects of retaining his job during the good times and the bad.

1. Productiveness: What does this mean? Productivity is one of the factors that help companies reach their goal to maximize profits. Therefore, they look for workers who understand the importance of completing good quality work on their time schedule. Holding your position within the company means that you must be one of these workers. It does not mean that you have to be a workaholic, but you must work diligently.

2. Effective Communication: What does this mean? This is the ability to articulate clearly, to compose, write, and present your work in a manner that is understandable. But it also involves the art of listening.

Listening carefully to instructions can help employees to complete their work without making big mistakes that could cause the company a bundle. So make use of this skill and keep yourself on the company payroll.

3. Employee Compatibility: What does this mean? It means to work harmoniously and in cooperation with co-workers and supervisors. This contributes to a peaceful environment. The peacefulness promotes job satisfaction, less stress, an inner calmness, and the soil for creative thinking.

On the other hand, unnecessary conflicts, meddling in the personal affairs of others, being overly critical about peoples work; puts one in the category of agitator/ troublemaker. Employers do not want troublemakers in their companies.

However, if you have some concerns about the job, they should be addressed within a private setting (meetings with management, or with your representative), not via gossiping with co-workers.

4. Attentiveness: What does this mean? It means to pay attention to detail in completing your duties, and to pay attention and participate in discussions during company meetings. Paying attention to detail in carrying out your work allows you to perform at your best.

Paying attention, and participation in discussions during meetings helps you keep abreast with the organization and changes in the company. Companies want workers who are well informed about their operations and their products.

5. Good attendance: This is better known by the endearing term, “T and A”, showing the level of importance it holds within the workplace. Punctuality and good attendance are very desirable to employers. They view these as the sign of a of reliable, and trust worthy worker. Employers respect and appreciate workers who are trust worthy. Gaining the bosses trust and respect can also gain his /her recommendation for promotions.

6. Effective use of Company Time: What does this mean? It means to give a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. Do not take additional time for lunch at the company’s expense. Arriving at work late, leaving early, and taking an additional 20 minutes at lunch are different ways that employees can create a non-productive labor cost within a company. Non-productive cost erodes the budget and can lead to the downsizing and job cuts in the company’s operations. This is shown in the statistical findings of one research done by an employment agency: time theft amounts to 4 ¼ hours weekly, per employee. Stealing company’s time is a ground for termination.

7. Proper dress and grooming: Dress and grooming are usually established by the company’s dress code. You do well to follow it. It shows your willingness to uphold company standard and policies. It makes a good statement about your professionalism and a good impression about the company. Companies want workers who contribute to their good image.

8. Improvement in your skill / craftsmanship: What does this mean?

Keep abreast with changes in your field (skill or craft). The constant change in technology brings about a constant change in the way we do things. Keeping abreast with this change can have a significant impact on your job performance. Good performance can certainly keep you on the company’s payroll.

9. Initiative: What does this mean? It is the ability to motivate oneself to work industriously. This person is also called a self-starter, one who will complete assignments without the need for constant supervision. This is one of the desirable qualities that companies search for in selecting employees for their leadership positions.

10. Flexibility / versatility: What does this mean?

It means: learn to negotiate, to give and take or to trade off one thing for another. Your company has reduced the number of straight time workers, and opens the way for some workers to switch to a flexible schedule. Can you trade off your straight time, work-schedule for a flexible time and avoid the possibility of being laid off? Would you be willing to relocate from the company’s main site to its satellite location? Your flexibility and willingness to make reasonable adjustments, can save you from being laid off when the job slashing begins.

In conclusion, since all of us need money to survive, we must do what we can to protect our livelihood. We must see that the present economic crisis remains steadfast and causes businesses to exercise more caution in hiring. We must see that this contributes to the rising level in unemployment, wherein too many people are chasing too few jobs.

So hone in on the basic skills, and use them to increase your prospects of retaining your job even if the economy slides in a recession.