We all know that job security has gone the way of the dodo bird since this relentless recession first set in back in 2007. Companies simply don’t have the financial means necessary to bring on new employees or dole out raises and bonuses to existing ones. In fact, nearly six million people have been out of work for more than six months since the recession began back in December of 2007 and the future’s outlook is still questionable.
Saying farewell to job security
As most job seekers can attest to these days, the act of simply submitting your cover letter and resume and landing a job offer are now ancient history. In years past, this was a viable job hunting strategy because for the most part, those were the only options available and the job market was much more balanced. But now, with such a topsy-turvy job market and a barrage of potential candidates eager to fill each opening for meager salaries, job security is nothing but a farce. Many organizations are under increasingly tense pressure to maximize profits and unfortunately for us hardworking employees, we’re more disposable and replaceable than we’ve ever been before.
Assuming you’re dedicated to either keeping the job that you currently have or finding new employment, I encourage you to bid farewell to the notion of job security and in its place, graciously usher in the concept of career security.
Embracing your savior, career security
It’s increasingly easy to become complacent with our current employment situations as we become accustomed to our routines, but staying sharp in our respective lines of work is critical. Because the company you’re currently working for can and likely will replace you at the drop of a hat if needed, you need to be fully prepared to face that situation by creating your own, personal layer or career security.
I define career security as the ability to remain employed under any set of economic or industry-specific conditions. To really get a handle on the concept, you need to look at your employment in a larger context. In other words, you should ensure that you’re marketable outside of the company that you’re currently working for and possess skills that are in high demand and applicable in multiple industries. I suggest doing so by improving and diversifying your skill set and then publicizing those newly acquired skills and abilities wherever you get a chance to.
- Improve and diversify your skill set.
- Take classes. If there’s a particular line of work of subject you’re interested in, check out the websites of your local community colleges to see what classes they offer. In some cases, their offerings are pretty robust and might just surprise you.
- Read relevant books. This tip really goes without saying, but you’d be surprised by the number of people who slog through their careers without so much as bothering to pick up a book to learn more and increase their skills. A good starting point would be The Careerist Book Store.
- Ask to be critiqued. Push your pride to the side and ask a colleague or supervisor to provide you with an honest assessment of your skills. The results of that feedback make an excellent starting point for developing a self-improvement plan.
- Publicize your skills and abilities.
- Mention in the course of conversation. Obviously I wouldn’t recommend you go hog-wild with this one, but when the opportunity presents itself in the course of normal conversation, mention the fact that you recently attended relevant training or received an advanced degree in the topic being discussed. Don’t be bashful when selling yourself.
- Actively participate in social networks. Contrary to popular belief, there’s more value to social networks than simply discovering that one of your sorority sisters is battling an epic hangover. Look for professional networking groups related to your industry and use them as a forum for discussing your line of work. People will eventually take notice and remember your name when an opportunity arises.
- Start a blog. I honestly don’t think there’s a better way to sell yourself than to create and write a blog. You can start one (for free) on any topic of your choosing and after a few weeks of posting, you’ll have built a small audience who will turn to you for your expertise. I intend to write more in depth on this topic in the near future, so stay tuned.
Your thoughts?
Do you have any additional tips or recommendations for increasing your level of career security? Please share in the comments below.
Image courtesy of Gino
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