Keep your job by keeping up
Keep your job by keeping up
Stop talking about it. Focus on doing your job or get another one.
Here’s what you know: The economy is struggling. Layoffs have started and more will follow. What are you doing to stay afloat? Focus on what you need to do, get it done and move on to what’s next.
“All we talk about here is how bad business is and who’s going to get laid off. There’s no escaping the conversations that are going on in the parking lot, the restrooms, in every cubicle and behind every door. It’s the topic of the day, every day and on weekends. Of course I join in.”
How’s it make you feel?
“Desperate. Depressed. Hopeless. You name it, that’s how I feel.”
What are you doing about it?
“What am I supposed to do about it? I told you, there’s no escaping it.”
Are you updating your résumé? Calling your networks? Doing your job?
“I’m not doing any of those things. I told you, I’m depressed, hopeless and desperate. You know the drill: People like me don’t take control. We let events control us.”
Sounds like you know what to do, you just haven’t done it.
“You’re right. I know what I need to do and I haven’t done it. I’m putting off the inevitable because it’s easier to get swept away by awful conversations than it is to change the conversation.”
What have you done?
“I wasn’t kidding. I haven’t done anything but sleep less, spend less and yell at my kids more. I haven’t updated my résumé or networked since I got this job five years ago.”
So updating your résumé and networking are top priorities?
“Sounds like I ought to stop worrying and make them my top priorities. Anything else I need to do?”
I asked if you were getting your job done. How’s that going?
“I didn’t say because I got scared when I realized my answer: I’ve barely paid attention to my job. I come in, log in, work until someone starts the buzz about the latest bad news and then I’m hooked. We talk nonstop about everything that can go wrong and I don’t get anything accomplished. I sound like I’m asking to get fired!”
Change the conversation in your head and in your group. Now, more than ever, prove to your employer that you are putting business first. Get centered and be visible and vocal about finding ways to make them money and save them money.
There are reasons for concern and reasons to dig in and make things work. You may be hearing lots of news and noise about layoffs. What you’re not paying enough attention to is that despite layoffs these companies are staying in business. Stay in business with them. If that doesn’t work for you or for them, be ready to jump into the nearest boat that’s afloat. Your résumé and your networks are the life vest and lifeline that will get you there.
Joyce Richman is a speaker and career coach conducting seminars and workshops throughout the United States, and the author of “Roads, Routes & Ruts: A Guidebook for Career Success.” You can reach her at 288-1799 or JERichman@aol.com. Watch Richman’s latest career advice Wednesdays at 6:35 a.m. during “The Good Morning Show” on WFMY News 2. You can find this column online by visiting http://www.TriadCareers.com/whois/joyce_richman.
