Keep Your Job in 2009: Create Employment Security
Once upon a time seniority in a place of employment actually meant something. That is no longer true in today’s tough economy, employers no longer have any sense of loyalty to their employees and no one is indispensable. Creating a sense of security in your work place is harder than ever before, especially with so many people willing to take your position for less pay just to have a job.
The very best way to create any type of job security is to have very strong work ethics.
Start with the basics, meaning show up for work everyday and on time. Companies depend on their employees and sometimes even one employee calling in sick can reek havoc in the business. Your employer needs to be able to depend on you to be there. Why some people think it is o.k. to miss work on a regular basis is a mystery and usually not tolerated for very long. People who frequently miss work and often show up late are always the first to go when a business needs to down size; if they make it that long.
When you are at work do your job and do it well. If for some reason you cannot do your job, find something else that will be productive and beneficial for the company to do while you are on the clock. For example if you are a cashier, paid to ring up transactions and you cannot do this because there are no customers in the store, then you can clean your work area, stock up on supplies like bags and register tape, or ask your manager if you can help stock or clean and organize the shelves on the sale floor. Any of these jobs will help the store create a more pleasant buying experience for the customers when they do arrive and possibly help create sales. Asking your boss if there are others things you can do during a slow period will show your boss that you care about the business and you want to be a positive and productive employee.
Don’t take extended lunches and breaks and don’t let your boss see you constantly hanging out in the break room socializing with other employees. Don’t perform disappearing acts, hiding out somewhere where you can’t be found is never a good thing. You may not have to work as much, but your boss will notice that when there is work to be done, you are no where to be found. That will make you one of the first person’s out the door when your company is looking to make cuts. Make yourself available and visible at all times preferably working hard with a positive attitude. If you have completed the job your were assigned to do, instead of asking to leave early because your job is done, help another employee complete their job. That way your boss will see that not only did you complete your job you did someone else’s and you will also be available if he or she has any questions about the job you have already completed.
Have a positive attitude. If you are among the fortunate people who still have a job be thankful for it. It may not be your dream job, but at least you can feed your family and pay your bills. Nobody likes to listen to someone who does nothing but complain all the time, your negativity will put everyone in a bad mood. Also avoid things like talking badly about other employees, spreading rumors (even if they are true) and complaining about things you don’t like about the company, your boss or other employees. Having a bad attitude will not help create the type of environment your boss wants so out the door you will go.
Do not ever tell your boss you will not so something because it is not your job (illegal or sexual acts are exempt from that statement). When you work for a company it is your job to do whatever is needed to ensure the success of that company. That means that if you are the supervisor in a factory and you have not ran a machine in years you may now have to do so. Many factories have laid off many of their laborers and there is no one left to run the machines expect for the supervisors so be prepared to take a step down and complete tasks that you may have never had to do before. Do these tasks as best as you can and be happy to do them because when there are no more jobs to be done then they will be giving you some time off.
If you are in customer relations you are one of the most important employees your company has so make sure you treat that customer like they are gold. Some customers can be very difficult there is no denying that, but you can always treat a customer with respect no matter how rude they are to you, if you feel you are going to lose your patience with a customer, politely tell them that you are unauthorized to make that decision and that you will bring the matter in dispute to the attention of your boss, get their phone number and call them back, or just let your boss handle it. That way you are less likely to say or do something that is totally unprofessional and may cost you your job and it will give you both time to cool off. While talking to your customer try to suggest other services or items they may be interested in, but don’t be pushy about it. McDonald’s uses this sales tactic very well, when I worked there as a teenager I was trained to look for something the customer didn’t order and ask them if they wanted it. Many times the customer would say yes, and that helped to increase sales. For example if a customer ordered a burger and fries I would always ask if they wanted a drink with that. Any positive way you can find to help increase sales will help you to become a valuable employee and less likely to have to seek employment elsewhere.
Being a dependable, trustworthy and productive employee is the only real way to make sure you are not handed the pink slip in these troubled economic times, however if your company is failing it may not matter how good you are, you may still find yourself looking for a new job, but at least you will be able to ask for and get an excellent reference letter to help in your search for a new job.
