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Get a Grip on Yourself Do you feel that if there were one thing that could be secure and guaranteed, it should be your job? Are you fed up of living under the constant fear of losing your job? Do you wonder what would you do if your job were taken away? All such feelings and fears can be summed up in two words: Job insecurity. Indeed, a new graduate these days can no longer expect lifetime employment when he begins work. He may be changing jobs many times during his entire working life. While jobs will come and go, what can be enduring is your potential to learn, change and adapt to new situations. And that's where the solution to your anxiety lies. Job insecurity arises not just from the fear of losing one's present job, but also from the fear of not getting an alternative job. To better cope with your feelings of job insecurity, you should work on two fronts simultaneously. First, you should consolidating your position in the present job. Next, become a person who won't be stranded if the present job is lost. Here is what you should do.
Most people do what is expected of them. If you want to make your job more secure, change this attitude and adopt the strategy of delivering more than what is expected. Remember, it's not about staying late at work; it's about adding more value. If you consistently deliver more, you will stand out from the crowd and make it more difficult for your organisation to take away your job.
Just like how a ship takes its passengers where it goes, your organisation will take you where it goes. Your fortunes are closely tied to that of your organisation. If you often stop and review some of the following issues, you will be better prepared to handle any surprises. Ask yourself: Is your organisation growing steadily or struggling? What challenges is it facing? What are the industry trends affecting your business? Which companies in the industry are doing better than yours? Being more aware of how your organisation has been responding can help you make better choices for your career.
If there is one thing that can prove to be a great asset throughout your career, it is your contacts. Though many people don't realise it, contacts play a pivotal role in filling positions in the job market and shaping people's careers. Start cultivating contacts both within and outside your organisation. Extend help to your colleagues, attend exhibitions and lectures, and become an active member of industry associations. The more you are known and become a person whom others would like to help, the better your chances of keeping your present job and getting a new one.
The biggest reason for insecurity is lack of self-knowledge. Many people think they are what they write in their resumés. That's a very limited view. You have talents, a personality, interests and values. Do a personal inventory. Make the most of what you enjoy and feel strongly about.
Continuous learning is the only insurance against the fear of joblessness. Discover your love for learning and regularly add new skills and knowledge to your portfolio. In addition, learn also from the work you do. Invest in seminars and courses that can give you an idea of the standards expected outside your organisation.
While getting a new job is the most obvious option if you lose your present job, don't rule out other options. For instance, you can start your own business. Every successful business is a result of someone's decision to take the "road less travelled". You can become a freelance or contract worker. This is an attractive option in the face of leaner times when organisations avoid hiring permanent staff. To insist on job security is like chasing a mirage in the desert. The real security lies in your ability to learn, change and adapt your skills. In the words of Charles Darwin: "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."
Copyright © Atul Mathur, 2005 |
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