Are You Prepared to Lose Your Job?
Posted on July 23, 2008
Filed Under job tips |
I know that sounds harsh, but more and more pink slips have been issued over the past year than in quite some time. Not addressing a problem doesn’t make it go away. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. Here are 5 tips that can help you prepare for the untimely layoff, should it happen to you.
1. Be Financially Stable. Cut back on frivolous expenses and focus on having your emergency savings (3 months net salary and ideally 6 months). If you need to get a part time job to reach your savings goal - do it now while you can.
2. Increase your marketable skills. If you know you aren’t the best with computers, now is the time to brush up or learn these mandatory skills. If there are other skills you feel you want or need to advance in your career, this is also the time to take some extra classes. You can often find inexpensive classes at local community colleges or community centers.
3. Network. Most likely, you will find a job through your personal network. If you aren’t on LinkedIn and Facebook, I recommend those at a minimum, although there are several others.
4. Beware of the signs. Sometimes the writing is on the wall when layoffs are about to happen. Many times people will ignore glaringly obvious signs, such as weak financial reports (if you work for a publicly traded company you should definitely keep up with this stuff), and others being paid off.
5. Talk Openly with your managers. Many may disagree with this, but those might be the same people that don’t communicate with their spouses. Communication can eliminate many fears as often your managers will have insights that you don’t. Sometimes they won’t be able to share, but other times they will.
I hope that helps. Stay tuned for my next post on what to do if you’ve actually lost your job. Use the box to the right to subscribe to this blog so you don’t miss out.
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