Anxious that your current job isn’t as secure as you would like it to be?
With so many companies implementing or considering layoffs, employees can’t be blamed if they are nervous about their short-term or long-term prospects for continued employment.
But there’s also no reason for workers to leave their fate in someone else’s hands, says Richard Walker, CEO of York Solutions (www.yorksolutions.net).
“Being proactive is the best approach for anyone who’s worried about how their job would be affected by a recession, or simply by a disruption in their industry,” says Walker, whose company specializes in building teams of IT resources for their clients. “Everyone can use a backup plan.”
And it may be a good time for many workers to have such a backup plan at the ready. Meta, Amazon and other major companies have already announced thousands of layoffs this year. About one-third of respondents to a GoBankingRates survey said they are “somewhat” or “very” worried about layoffs. Those worries may be compounded by the fact that nearly half of those surveyed said they have less than $500 in savings, leaving them financially vulnerable if they lose their jobs.
Walker says there are steps nervous employees can take now to be prepared if the worst happens. He adds that these are ways to invest in yourself that everyone should do, even those who aren’t concerned about losing a job. They are:
- Upskill. Over time, skills can become obsolete, so it’s important to always look for opportunities to learn, improve and stay current with market trends. Doing so can make you more valuable at your current job, perhaps helping you dodge layoffs if they happen, or give you extra possibilities for your next move if you need to go job hunting. But employees shouldn’t wait until tough times to think about upskilling, Walker says. Professional development should be ongoing. Some ways to improve, he says, include career readiness programs, tech-focused training, or learning on your own, among many other possibilities. His company created a “Barriers to Entry” program (B2E) six years ago to help people overcome barriers to employment and career growth.
- Network. Most people understand that networking can help them land a job. But Walker says there is no need to wait until you are in the market for a job. You should be connecting and networking routinely, so when the time comes, those connections have already been made, which will undoubtedly lead to you landing your next position much sooner.
- Be aware of what’s happening in your industry. Change is common, especially in the technology industry. So it pays to stay abreast of what’s happening in your industry, Walker says. But you don’t have to limit yourself to just your industry. Keep tabs on what’s happening in other industries where your skills could be put to good use, he says.
Through his work, Walker has seen the job prospects for some people soar even when they are in competition with people who, on paper, are better credentialed. That’s why he believes that many businesses do themselves a disservice when they limit who they consider to hire based on degrees or other requirements that may not necessarily yield the best candidate.
“In many cases, you see people outperform their peers with stronger resumes because they feel they have something to prove,” Walker says “They know how to jump over the obstacles.”
***
You Might Also Like These From The Good Men Project
Compliments Men Want to Hear More Often | Relationships Aren’t Easy, But They’re Worth It | The One Thing Men Want More Than Sex | ..A Man’s Kiss Tells You Everything |
Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today.
All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.
A $50 annual membership gives you an all access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class and community.
A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group and our online communities.
A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.
Register New Account
Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.
—
Photo credit: iStock