Recession Proof Your Job – 4 Ways To Avoid The Pink Slip

Your worries about job loss are not misplaced. So far roughly 1.2 million U.S. workers have lost their jobs because of the global economic recession. No doubt, more pink slips are coming. Here are 4 things you could do to avoid being a pink slip recipient.

lose your job
Photo by snofla via flickr

1. Be Prepared.

Start thinking about what you would do if worse comes to worse. This means tracking your money (see Don’t push the panic button (yet)). It also means cutting expenses (for some ideas see Painless ways to cut expenses and save for retirement and Financially Strapped? Ways to put more money in your pocket).

2. Be An Expert.

Make sure you know your job inside and out. Learn as much about your boss’s job and as much about everyone’s job in your department as you can. The more valuable you are the more your company needs you.

3. Be There.

If you’re a telecommuter, rev up your face time in the office. If people don’t see you, they’ll be apt to question why they need you. Do you rush out at the end of the day? If so, slow down, check with your boss and other teammates before you leave work to see what you can do to help them out. Come in earlier so that you’ll have more time to get things done, but also so that people can see you working.

4. Be A Morale Booster.

Loosing a job is doubly traumatic during a recession. Don’t add to the damper by talking about your troubles or spreading bad news. Look for ways that you can be supportive without being everyone’s problem catcher. Can you organize a brown bag lunch hour where people watch classic movies? What about a lunch walk? Or bring your dog to work day?

One thing to keep in mind: The U.S. has experienced 13 economic recessions. Each time we’ve bounced backed. We’ll do it again.

3 Comments

Squawkfox
November 19, 2008, 0:12

I also diversify my income. I have some small investments which bring in some monthly money. Right now I reinvest this small sum, but if I needed the cash it would help.
Jennifer
November 24, 2008, 22:14

I agree with point #1 and 2 but # 3 (Be There) is not all that applicable to more and more people who work from home. However, I do suggest creating one-on-one weekly conference call with your manager to keep him/her inform of your projects. If there’s no face time but at least get some telephone time.
Pinyo
November 25, 2008, 9:55

@Squakfox — I agree. Building alternative income is a great indirect way to protect yourself against pink slip.
@Jennifer — Good point about making sure you communicate. I’d also add make sure at least your manager know about your achievements.