How Safe is Your Job? cont'd.
Ask Yourself the Following Questions :
| Is your job crucial to the organization's purpose and mission? | ||
| Is your job close to the customer? | ||
| Is your job directly related to income and the bottom-line, not seen as overhead? | ||
| Do changes in technology make your job more important for the success of the organization? | ||
| Do key people in the organization know the contribution your job makes to the bottom line? | ||
| Would it be difficult to outsource your work? | ||
| Have you achieved mastery in your profession, you're seen as irreplaceable? | ||
| Have you acquired the skills necessary to keep pace with changes in your industry? |
If your answer was YES to most of the questions, chances are very good that your job is relatively secure. If your answers were NO to many or most, your job may be at risk.
So, what can you do?
FIRST. For a more valid assessment of your career vitality, we recommend our on-line tool called Leading Career Indicators®. You answer questions related to five areas affecting your career, Industry, Organization, Profession, Job/Position, and Personal Life. Your results "indicate" your career vitality in each of the areas and recommend appropriate actions. This can be an extremely useful tool in times of instability and anxiety. See how you stack up and take action to be in charge of your work and career.
SECOND. Build your network in key areas affecting your career; Industry, Profession, Organization, Job/Position and Personal Life. Use our NETWORKSMART tool to help you do this.
THIRD. Define options and align aspirations. Our OPTIONSSMART helps you define the best career options for you and gives you an effective goal setting strategy for taking action.
Off Balance cont'd.
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Here are some suggestions:
1) Determine your needs first and be specific. For example "I would like to work from home 2 days per week because my commute takes a total of 6 hours. I could spend this time more productively by..." Consider cost savings to you and the organization. (An hour in the car vs an hour on your project.)
2) Outline the needs of the organization. For example. "They need staff on site for team meetings and project management."
3) Make a proposal. Present a thoughtful and detailed proposal to your manager that addresses the needs of all parties and makes sense financially. Suggest a trial period.
You might be surprised. An A+ manager will listen to your needs and appreciate your suggestions. He or she may not feel authorized to make special arrantgements. If that's the case, ask for advice on going to the next level and how he or she can support you. With a sound proposal in hand and someone to help argue your case, you may get what you want!
Caela Farren, Ph.D. and principal of MasteryWorks, Inc. is a 30 year expert in career development for employees, managers and organizations. MasteryWorks, based in Mclean, VA. has been helping people design and develop their careers for the past 30 years. Farren is also the author of Who's Running Your Career? Creating Stable Work in Unstable Times (Bard Press).
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