Are you one of many IT professionals who is worried about being laid off? Many IT professionals are looking over their shoulder for the pink slip. As companies are pressed to cut costs many have looked to cutting heads as a way to save money.
It does not matter if you have been with the company 20 years or 20 months you could be laid off. Many highly skilled IT professionals have gotten the pink slip and have been laid off for the sake of cutting the bottom line.
For the business this is a strategic move to cut costs and improve profits in the worst economy since the great depression. For IT professionals it is a nerve-racking experience with many wondering if they will be next to be laid off. There are steps you can take to help make yourself more valuable to the company and less likely to see the pink slip.
10 Ways to Avoid The Pink Slip
- Be Dependable – Good attendance has always been important and now it is more important than ever. Be on time for work and don’t leave early. In the past you may have called in sick when you felt bad. Now only do so if you are unable to work. Companies need people they can depend on to be at work every day, on time and work the full day.
- Be Passionate About Your Job – Having a true passion for your job, being driven and motivated to always do your best is a good way to avoid the pink slip. If you have lost your passion read “How Passion For Your Job Can Lead To Success” to get it back.
- Be Likeable – If you are one of those people with a rough edge you need to soften up. Companies want employees who are able to work together and get along well. Refrain from expressing your displeasure over something. Don’t be that person who always says no or has the dark negative cloud over their head. Treat co-workers with respect and try to help others when you can.
- Be A Team Player – “One Company, One Team” is a mantra you should live by. Companies want employees who are team players. When approached with a problem don’t respond with “It’s not my problem”. If you can’t help find someone who can. Look for ways you can help others to reach their goals and make their jobs easier.
- Align With Company Goals and Objectives – Do you even know what your company goals and objectives are? If not you had better find out quickly and make sure your work is aligned with them. In this tight economy cutting costs is a top goal. Look for ways you can improve a process or do the job with less to save money.
- Learn to Handle Pressure – With job cuts many are asked to take on extra duties. This can add to an already high level of stress and pressure to get the job done. Knowing how to deal with working under pressure shows you can handle the heat.
- Stay Positive – Maintaining a positive outlook can be difficult during times like these. It is important that you be able to stay positive even in negative situations. If you fly off the handle when something goes wrong it means you need to learn to control your response. Maintaining a positive outlook about your job and your work is far less stressful and in times like these is what others need to see from you.
- Learn What Your Employees Want – If you are a manager keeping your employees happy makes them more productive and shows you are a good manager. Companies want high performing teams and the best way to do this is to start by focusing on the needs of your reports.
- Make Your Employees More Productive – Once again if you are a manager your performance is tied to how well your team does their job. The more time you spend coaching them, training them to do their job better and to do new task is time well spent. Remember their success is your success.
- Be the Best at What You Do – This last tip is the most important. If you want to avoid the pink slip. Simply do your job better than anyone has ever done it. The best advice I can give you for this is to read this great article “Be The Best at What You Do”. It shows you how the power of being positive and being passionate about your job, regardless of what your job is will lead to success.
Bonus Tips
The stress and worry about loosing your job is like a daily drum beat in your head. It can distract you from performing at your best and possibly end up causing the exact thing you are trying to avoid. Another tip I can give you are some “Formulas For Success”. Read about eight steps you can take to not only help secure your job, but help boost you up the company ladder.
During tough times like this you should look at your career. Are you heading in the right direction? Is your career path on track? If you have never considered these much this is a good time to start. Read “How to Develop Your IT Career Plan and Why You Should Do It” for tips on developing a career plan and ways to advance your career. Should things not work out for you and you do get the pink slip and be laid off it is important to know how to handle a detour in your career road map.