More Tips on Weathering a Poor Economy

Though the nation's unemployment rate remained steady at 4.5% in July (nytimes.com 08/03/01), the labor market overall still remains weak.

In such an economy, how do you know your job is secure? You don't. Even though there are few guarantees in a modern, ever-changing world anyway, a poor economy still often increases your risk of losing your job.

Beyond recession-proofing your resume, what steps can you take to improve your chances of keeping the job you love-or need-in this period of economic unease? The first is understanding what your organization wants:

• Find out what "counts" as a success in the organization.
  
• Ask your boss what parts of your job are the most important.
  
• Listen to stories colleagues tell about successes and failures in the organization-what can you learn?
  
• Observe to see who is praised and promoted and why.

Also, take time to review your last performance appraisal and your boss's current expectations. How have you improved? Within reason, what can you do to "go above and beyond the call of duty"?

What do you see as your weaknesses? What can you do to overcome them?

Pay attention, too, to the "little things"-keeping your work area neat and organized, dressing appropriately for the job, and maintaining a positive attitude on the job and elsewhere.

Keep the lines between your personal and professional lives distinct-leave work problems at work and home problems at home.

For more information on these and other tips, see the "Building Critical Skills" boxes throughout BCS.