Tips for keeping your job…
I was reading a recent Time magazine article about jobs. According to the article, people are focusing on their jobs as the only way to build wealth since property and investments have gone south.
In this economy, it seems like 10% of the population doesn’t have jobs and the other 90% are struggling to keep theirs. Paychecks are how we stay on top of our finances (obviously). I’m no employment guru but I’ve learned a lot in the last 20 years of working.
Yup.
20.
My parents obviously didn’t have a clear understanding of the child labor laws or… they wanted to raise a kid who understood the value of a dollar.
1. Train, train, train.
Many corporations offer in house training. Take advantage of this and learn new skills. Small company? Consider taking college classes. A semester long night course at our local community college is $60. It’s a great investment for your future. Always be an employee who makes an effort to stay on top.
2. Show Your Face.
Sure it’s easy to sit at your desk all day and go home at 5, but don’t be afraid to say hello. Get to know your co-workers and participate in every company event. Sure you have better things to do with your time than hang out at the silly meatloaf kickoff mixer, but you’ve got to at least pretend to be interested… until the economy recovers.
3. Keep Your Personal Life Personal.
Your life may suck. Your dog may be sick. They may have cancelled your favorite TV show. GET OVER IT. Work life isn’t about your personal problems. Fake a smile and keep that crap to yourself. No one likes a whiner.
4. Work Hard.
Um. Duh.
5. Dedicate Some Time.
Don’t show up at 8:01 and leave at 4:59. I arrive at 6:30 and leave at 4:30. Sure I’d rather spent that hour watching Judge Judy but you can bet my boss notices I get a heck of a lot of work done and he gets five free hours a week. Too much? Probably. But I have a job and that’s all I care about.
6. Don’t Lie.
If you want a day off, ask for it. Don’t say your mother died… twice. Yup. HR talked to me about that employee for an hour. If the employee would have simply asked for a day off, he would have been given it, but lying makes a company not trust you.
No job is guaranteed. Some are laid off despite a fabulous working history. But… anything to keep a target off your back is a good thing.
Posted: March 26th, 2009 under Debt Reduction, Life in General, company x.
Comments: 5
Comments
Comment from Carol
Time: March 26, 2009, 5:59 am
I so badly want to share this with my peers at work…each of them feels as though “work owes them” and none of them realize that all they owe you is a paycheck for what work you’ve accomplished. I’m like you – in early, out late, get my work done to it’s best ability, and I only take 1/2 hour lunch. We are supposed to only take a 1/2 hour lunch, but I see people stroll back to their office after an hour. Sometimes I wish I could be as lackadaisical as they are and get away with it, but then I remember my values, and say to myself “shame on them.”
I would like to add to your list (my pet peeve): If you have responsibilities that go along with your job, and you have a planned absence coming up, ask a colleague to take care of that responsiblity in your absence. Don’t assume that “someone will do it” and be mad when you return to find it not taken care of.
Comment from M E 2
Time: March 26, 2009, 10:14 am
My BOSS, has told IRS Agents that he can’t make a scheduled appointment because his Grandmother died. He has done this more than twice. :-X We are waiting for the day that he encounters a/the IRS agent he has already told this to. 
Comment from Lizzie
Time: March 26, 2009, 2:14 pm
Good tips….if I actually had a paying job. With a 6,4,2 year old and a 10 month old I’ve got some serious job security 
!
Comment from Nicole
Time: March 26, 2009, 4:01 pm
I’m with Liz on this one, thanks goodness SAHM have a secure job for a good 18 years:) Thanks for the tips. Way to keep at it and be such a hard worker!
Comment from mikey
Time: March 26, 2009, 4:03 pm
Great tips, Beks!
I heard the other day that they estimate the unemployment rate could reach 15%. (We’re at about 10% now.)
And surveys show that 50% of workers think their job is next.
So we have a 45% reality gap out there now.
Makes for crazy times…
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