Layoffs, especially in the dot-com world, are getting a lot of headlines. There also is news of job losses because of outsourcing or U.S. companies moving production abroad.
Whether your industry is in decline or growing, it pays career dividends to do what you can to layoff-proof your career. The economy may not be falling into recession, but corporate cost-cutting abounds, and payroll cuts are a prime way to do it.
In reality, there’s only so much you can do to protect your job. If a company shuts down your division, you’re probably going to be out of work, no matter how well you’ve served. But there are things you can do to improve your odds.
Start now to analyze your contributions. Are you a “go-to” person? Have your performance reviews been topnotch? Are you considered part of your organization’s brain trust? Do you have multiple skills so you could move easily into another position? Do co-workers like you? Do you get along with your boss(es)?
These assessments are important. When it’s time to cut staff, unless there are collective-bargaining agreements that honor seniority, it’s far more likely that the deadwood, the burned-out, the less skilled and the unpopular will be cut before the stars are let go.
If you know you don’t rank among the stars, you might want to write up your resume or find another job before you’re forced to look.
If you think that you’re survivor material–but that many of your co-workers also rank high–you might want to begin a flurry of self-promotion and visibility projects. Don’t be obnoxious about it, but don’t waste time worrying about how self-serving it looks, either.
Volunteer for committees. Take on extra assignments. Tackle a new project that expands your experience. Share compliments. (Believe me, bosses notice.) And be sure to keep your own personnel file of accomplishments and kudos.
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These steps may help make your case someday if the layoff choice is between you and the person at the next desk. And even if there’s no thought of layoffs, you could be positioning yourself for better raises or promotions.