In today's challenging economic climate, the last thing you need is added stress over employment. Losing a job is one of the most significant stressors both personally and professionally for most people. Now is a teriffic time to do some serious employment reflection because not only is taking a proactive approach is the most cost effective and efficient way to assist yourself if you do lose that job, but it's also likely to reduce the amount of time you spend being unemployed.
While there is no sure fire way of knowing how your company is fairing without some inside information from the powers that be, there are some office changes that you could look to in order to at least hazard a guess as to which way the winds are shifting, if at all.
[1] Watch your supervisors
Generally speaking, higher ups, whenever possible, jump ship right before it sinks so if there seems to be an unusually high rate of turnover from upper management, that could be a sign.
[2] Watch your co-workers
Higher turnover in employees of any position may be a sign that your company is not fairing that well. Churning through new employees is a last ditch effort for most companies that don't know how to address their failures before they have to shut down permanently and usually comes just before or during the layoff period.
[3] Watch your office for Extensive time off
When your co-workers and supervisors are interviewing, or thinking of interviewing at other companies, they tend to take more personal days. If you notice a spiked increase in workplace absenses, this could be a sign that people see the end and are preparing for it.
[4] Know your business
Most companies don't like to let go of their employees, but sometimes it's the only available option left to stave off a bankruptcy. As a general rule, the closer you are to the product or service that your company provides, the longer you will be able to hold on to your job. So figure out where your position fits into your business-honestly. If your job seems very tangential to your companies business, your department is more likely to go early in a round of layoffs.
Whether or not you know or believe your company or department is headed under, taking these steps will benefit you emotionally as well as professionally.
Update Your Resume Now is a GREAT time to sit down and start thinking about yourself positively. A resume, at its essence, is a consise set of factual accomplishments that make you a SUPER employee. Updating and polishing the ol' resume will not only be easier when not done under the stress associated with having just been fired, but it will force you into viewing yourself in a positive and re-affirming way.
Stay in Touch Don't be afraid to pull out all those old and largely forgotten business cards that you've collected. Place a call to friends, acquaintences and business contacts. These referals will be your best employment resource in the future and those most likely to help if they know that you need it. So drop a line today and see if they could use a hand. Someday soon they may be able to repay the favor.
Pick up a new talent Now's a great time to take a class or seminar in your field. Show your employer that you consider your position worthwhile of the time and attention you're putting into it and they will too. These new skills you develop can only help while looking for a new job and its a great place to meet new people in your field or the field you want to be in.
Think about A New Field The best time to mull over that new career you want to shoot for is before you're unemployed. Once you're unemployed, your focus will immediately shift towards getting a new job of any type to keep you going.
INVEST IN YOURSELF Many, Many people are a job loss or a divorce away from losing it all. Worse still is that when these events occur people rarely see them coming, and often say that they could never have imagined the situation they find themselves faced with happening to them. Unfortunately, they do happen; they happen every day to lots of people. Now more than ever, particularly if you're employment situation is stable, start putting your financial resources together for the future so that in the event of a tragic personal situation such as job loss or divorce you are better prepared to make it through.
I thank you for taking the time to listen,
Best Regards
