With the recession hitting the United States hard, people are becoming nervous about their financial future specially if the companies they work for are affected by the crisis. The consumer industry specifically is getting the biggest blow, factories are shutting down and with it people are being laid off.
Other industries may feel this blow one way or the other but what’s noticeable is that the first thing that’s cut-off are people. You need to secure your jobs any which way you can.
Let me offer you a few things to consider for 2009:
1. Be visible – always be looking for productive things to do, specially in the office. Don’t let people see you slacking around. If they do, you know you’re the first one out the door.
2. Be easy – yes, easy to work with. With offices cutting down, it’s likely that people who are easy to work with are retained.
3. Be useful – try to be willing to help out far beyond what your job description says. By being a helpful hand you build reliability.
4. Be ready – always be available to what people may need, specially your boss. Anticipate every need and try to position yourself to respond as quickly as you can.