
In the post-dotcom era, job security is pretty much an outdated concept. However, my relative, who worked in HR for years, noticed certain employees’ habits that lessened their chances of getting pink slips. And I am sharing them with you.
Develop a trademark. TV character Blossom’s flower hats. Lady Gaga’s meat dress. Those signatures cemented those people in our minds. Do the same in the office arena. Everyone remembers the guy who always wears a bowtie or trendy eyeglasses. And no one forgets the woman who comes in every morning, brightly stating, “New day; new adventure!” It’s human nature: people take a shine to someone memorable. Reinforcing your presence in the office reinforces your job security that much more.
Forget about “us and them.” If you’re an executive, you may feel you have nothing to say to a mailroom clerk, and vice versa. My relative stressed the importance of greeting everyone you cross paths with in the office. Her quote concerning this matter: “The same people you see on the way up are the same people you see on the way down.” And learning about what he or she does also helps you understand more about how your corporate machine works. And if you find yourself unemployed, you’ll have a network of acquaintances that remember you fondly, and will be willing to assist in your job search.
Share the wisdom. Create a fantastic job aid, or find an awesome website relevant to your job? Share it. I’ve sometimes worked with people who did indeed create a cool job aid or find a helpful site, but kept it to themselves for self-promotion purposes. It had an inverse effect. Once their selfish acts were discovered, teammates viewed them as threats to team cohesion. Think back to when you were in elementary school. How did everyone feel about the boy who brought a bag of lollipops to share with everyone at lunch? Now, how did everyone feel about the girl who brought a bag of lollipops and ate one at lunch every day, never sharing? It’s the same principle as adults; generous people are popular people. Sharing what you know cultivates relationships with team members, and puts you on the path to leadership.
While there is no magic formula for maintaining employment, these human-friendly practices may unconsciously affect human resources’ decisions when it comes time to scale back, putting you on the top of the “keep” pile. Wishing you much success in your career journey…
Sean C. Wright is the author of 8 books. For more information about her writing skills and how she can assist you with yours–business or consumer–visit https://seanarchy.wordpress.com.
I’m pleased to announce the release of my 8th book, Skoll’s Diary.
Africans and African Americans left Earth in 1900, and went to another planet in The Milky Way to escape mistreatment…
It’s now the year 3005 on that terraformed planet. We get a peek into the life of a bright and sensitive teenaged boy, Skoll, through his journal. He loves his world, but is curious about life on Earth. Then suddenly, an epic event casts him in the middle of a difficult decision. The fate of the planet’s community is in his hands.
Get the book here. I’d appreciate your leaving a review if you read it. Thanks in advance!
