Keeping Your Job, When No One Else Is

Within the last few weeks, Ebay and Yahoo have both laid off 10% of their workforces. This trend is being reflected in local markets as well and my e-mail box is starting to swell with friends and acquaintances looking for a great place to work. Scary right?
So how do we help to ensure that our jobs will be safe through the current and possibly upcoming turbulence in the jobforce?

Forbes published a good article on it recently, but here's some highlights and my 2 cents.

1) Be indispensable: Help bring new things to your job instead of doing the status quo. Can you learn about blogs and lead the company blog? Is there a new sales process you think would save the company money? Now's the time to speak up.

2) Maintain your contacts: Do not forget to be aware of your connections' accomplishments, birthdays, etc. When it comes to bringing in new business, word of mouth is still the best way.

3) If you're working just for the money, don't show it. Clock punchers are always in the first round of layoffs.

4) If you are on the other side and doing the hiring: Hire Slow. Make sure that the position that you are hiring for cannot be pieced apart and completed by others in the company. If you don't grow too fast, you may avoid the layoffs altogether.

~ Caitlin