Concerns about job security are growing.
GT
If you are like the majority of people, you have a diminished sense of job security and have some fear of losing your job. At all levels, from entry-level employees to senior executives, concerns about layoffs, downsizing and firings have grown. Things like economic challenges, high-profile job cuts, and advances in artificial intelligence are causing anxiety, anxiety, and apprehension.
But even with concerns about your job, there are ways you can boost your job security, increase your value, and ensure your visibility. With deliberate effort, you can reduce the chances of being part of the current wave of layoffs or job terminations.
in good company
It helps to know you’re not alone: 76% of people say they experience anxiety at work, based on a survey conducted by LiveCareer. In addition, concern about employment has increased significantly in the past year for 46% of workers, according to a survey by Professional resume writers. The group most concerned about job security is CEOs, with 66% worried about their job security. And 48% of entry-level employees are anxious — but they’re also the group whose anxiety has increased the most: up 91% since last year.
Concerns arise in the press about layoffs, increased staffing and economic challenges, but 69% confirmed losing their jobs precisely because of AI, based on a study by Resumption. We clearly have a better understanding of what jobs or tasks may disappear and we have less clarity about what jobs will be created in the future – a recipe for concerns about the future of employment.
Increase your job security
Amidst all this anxiety, you can take proactive approaches to increase job security.
#1 – Create a strong network
One of the most powerful actions you can take is to build strong relationships inside and outside your organization. Decisions about layoffs are not made in a vacuum, and when your reputation is strong and when you have plenty of people who know your business and can vouch for you, it contributes to your security.
Connect with and meet people within your organization. Grab a coffee or set up a one-on-one date where you can learn from others, get their perspectives and build relationships. Take the initiative to work on projects with cross-functional teams so that many people can learn about you and your work.
Focus on building relationships at all levels, not just with decision makers. Word of mouth is an important way to strengthen your job security because having a strong credibility across many groups means more people can talk about your value to the organization.
In addition to building relationships within your organization, also build them externally. If you need to find a different job, few things will be more important than your network. Get to know people at association meetings, professional events, and even outside learning opportunities.
Enhance job security by building strong networks.
GT
#2 – Perform brilliantly
Great performance is one of the most important aspects of job security. If you are not performing up to par or if you are perceived as not adding value, you are most likely in a proverbial bubble. So do your best, embrace your work, and get involved.
You won’t be perfect—no one is, but companies will appreciate seeing your effort, commitment, and dedication. And you’ll benefit from greater happiness, too. When people are engaged, immersed, and invested in great performance, they are more likely to feel joy with their work and outside of work, too.
On their list of the top seven things people fear in their work – making decisions and taking responsibility are among the biggest stressors – according to a LiveCareer survey. It’s reasonable to care about your abilities in these areas, but you can remind yourself that you’re doing your part because others see your skills and potential.
Give yourself permission to seek input and direction when you need it. And be confident in taking on new tasks and challenges – your learning often happens in the midst of doing the work, and you can build on what you already know, putting you in a position to make substantive contributions.
#3 – Ask for feedback
Of course, even when you are doing well, you can always improve your achievement. According to a LiveCareer study, being fired is the fourth biggest fear on the list of the top seven. One way to reduce your chances of being fired is to ask for feedback, so you can improve.
Ask your boss what you do well and how you can improve. When the project is finished, seek feedback from the team about where you rocked the experience and where you can improve. Find out which priorities are most important to your company and solicit input on how to ensure your business aligns.
Being proactive about getting input will help you know where to focus your improvement efforts, but it will also show that you are interested in learning, developing and building your capabilities – and companies want to retain people who are committed to growth.
#4 – Look for growth opportunities
Organizations will want to keep you alive (read: improve your job security) when they see your potential – the future value you’ll deliver and your commitment to growing, adapting and learning in a fast-paced world of change. For this reason, it is wise to look for opportunities for growth.
Offer to join a project adjacent to your current job – so you can apply your skills and build new ones too. Look for new learning and ask if you can participate in the curriculum. Find mentors who can give you advice.
Learning will help you to proactively develop new skills, but it can also help you support areas where you may have limitations. According to a LiveCareer survey, among the biggest professional fears people make mistakes are being able to handle workload and not being liked by others.
You can also strive to learn to improve your core competencies (thereby reducing mistakes and increasing how much you can handle) and improving your communication or empathy skills (reducing your chances of struggling with your colleagues).
Whether you’re searching for your next set of skills or filling gaps for your current capabilities, pursuing learning and growth is among the best ways to boost your job security.
Be as visible and accessible as possible.
GT
#5 – Be present
The survey conducted by professional resume writers showed that working from home affected job security. In fact, 21% of people say working from home has made a difference to their job security. Even as organizations embrace remote or hybrid work, they’ll still want to be intentional about being present (literally and figuratively), available, and accessible.
Of course you can build great relationships with people from a distance, but it’s also natural to develop the strongest bonds with people you see often. Cognitive biases, such as familiarity bias (having greater acceptance of more knowledgeable people) and recency bias (remembering better who or what you interacted with most recently) translate to a need to get to know people and stay connected, so stay top of mind.
Plan to be in the office when your colleagues are there and when your team is doing collaborative work. If possible, schedule a check-in with your boss when you can be face-to-face. Make the most of the times you are on site by inviting your colleagues over for lunch or coffee.
When you’re away, keep your camera for meetings, be responsive in your communications and be transparent with your schedule. Give yourself privacy, of course, but build trust by being open about what you’re working on and about your availability.
In addition, look for opportunities for more visibility and contribution. A LiveCareer survey found that people fear public speaking as their third most prevalent fear. But speaking among others is a great way to get more people to understand your thinking and recognize your capabilities. Encourage yourself to share your ideas in small groups and then present to larger groups of more influential people over time.
Also build your vision by taking the initiative to identify and solve problems, and stay in touch with your leader so they know what you’re working on and the impact you’re having.
Also, be sure to stay in touch with your current organization. When you’re feeling insecure, it can be natural to consider a career change or a side hustle – as stated in the survey by professional resume writers. The probability of looking for another job was higher for entry-level workers.
Be sure to balance (very wise) contingency planning with the need to perform and show commitment in your current role. You don’t want to inadvertently disengage or negatively impact your job security because you’re so focused on finding the next thing. If you love what you do, make sure you keep your eye on that ball so you can ensure your dedication is not compromised.
to move on
Confidence can be an important part of your success. It makes sense to feel anxious about your job, but when you can stay calm and engaged, you’re much more likely to keep it.
In addition, downsizing or restructuring can be opportunities to take on more responsibility, enhance the value you bring to the organization or advance your career – so stay positive and believe in yourself for future growth.
Follow me Twitter or linkedin. paying off for me website or some of my other works here.