Recession Proof Your Job
Bob Dylan once sang, "The times, they are a-changin'." I think if Dylan was working in pretty much any other field besides the entertainment industry right now, he might change his song to, "The Times They Are A-Scary." No matter what field you're in, companies are changing, cutting back on hours and pay, and even in some cases, laying people off. Scary times, indeed.
Even if there has been no recession-related personnel changes at your facility, it's still a good idea to try and "recession proof" your job. Show you deserve to stay at your company. Prove you are a valuable employee and you bring something to the table. Channel your anxious energies about work into positive action.
The American Management Association recommends you use your "soft skills" to show you are indispensable to your team. Make sure you are the go-to person for getting things done. Show your versatility -- if you're a generalist who's been working in blood bank, offer to go over to coag for a while -- just to show you have a wide array of skills beneficial to your hospital.
Make sure you are up on the "shadow organization" -- the people who really influence decisions at your workplace, and don't turn a blind eye to the changes -- keep up with what's going on.
Demonstrating your leadership abilities and your interest in becoming a leader is another way to recession proof your job. Look for ways to problem solve and help your department run smoother. Also, keep learning -- stay abreast of new techniques and skills in the lab field.
What are your tips on ways to recession proof your job?