Is My Job Secure?
Has this question been on your mind during Covid?
There is no denying it – Coronavirus has brought about massive change and it’s become abundantly clear that no job is 100% secure.
But then again, has your job really been that secure anyway?? The truth is NO. No job has ever been 100% secure, but in this environment, job security has become even more of a myth.
Over the last couple of months during this time of lockdown, it’s likely that almost every single professional (and non–professional) has asked themselves this question.
“Is my job secure?”
Uncertainty remains, with the true economic impact far from clear and although there has already been devastating job loss, I’m concerned that there is still more to come.
So my question today is…
How would you fare if you were made redundant tomorrow?
And if you were – are you ready and prepared to weather the storm?
Over and over again I’ve seen what it takes to fast track your way from sudden job loss… to your next ideal role. And it’s all about the people you know, the quality of your relationships and having clarity about the type of work you’d like to be doing.
We may not always see job loss coming our way – but there are definitely some key steps we can all take to minimise the impact if it does happen.
Here’s what I’ve seen make the biggest difference.
3 top tips to insure against job loss
1. Manage your career progression
When was the last time you spent time considering your career achievements and the direction you want to take it next? If like most you’ve been leaving your career up to chance… let’s change that!
If you don’t know where your career is heading, you can’t position for what you want next!
Having clarity allows you to build your skills in a particular area, get known by key stakeholders or to focus on developing your leadership capability.
Clarity builds momentum. And with momentum comes opportunity.
2. Build Strategic Relationships
If you suddenly found yourself on the job market, having a strong network is priceless. These are the people who would be the first to reach out to support you, offer assistance and make introductions that could possibly lead to job opportunities.
And let’s be clear … your network is your best source of job opportunities. Your next role is unlikely to come from a recruiter. Please do not leave your future in their hands!
If you want to be one of those people who always seems to be at the right place, at the right time to snap up the most interesting opportunities – you need to be one of those people who invests time and energy into building strong relationships.
But given that building strong relationships takes time, make sure that you are ALWAYS prioritising (in good times and bad) building and strengthening your networks.
3. Raise Your Profile
The way you go about this may need to change in this new world of working from home. It’s not as easy as floating past someone’s desk and having a chat or nipping out for a quick coffee between meetings.
In this new world you will need to be a little more strategic and deliberate about building your profile.
Start by identifying what you want to be known for. Build the brand you want – rather than settling the one others want to give you.
Then look for opportunities to speak about your achievements or demonstrate the skills and traits you want to be known for. Getting involved in high profile projects are great for developing strategic relationships and to demonstrate your value, your strengths and your leadership skills.
And don’t forget LinkedIn. Almost every week I hear from women who have been approached about an opportunity as a result of being found on LinkedIn. Update your profile and then get active.
Now is not the time to be complacent.
With the massive hit to the economy over recent months, who knows what the next 6–12 months will bring? But let’s not bury our heads in the sand and hope all will be OK.
With just a little shift in where you focus your time and attention – you can position yourself to bounce back fast from any challenge that may come your way.
And hopefully you will never need to tap into this insurance plan for job loss.
But always know that this work will never be wasted. Activating this plan is the perfect preparation for when you choose to move from your current role to you next ideal exciting opportunity.
Good luck. Stay well. Make an impact.
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