Economy-Proofing Your Job
Elections for the leader of the free world loom. Regardless of who wins, we are in for months -- or years -- of economic recovery. Some analysts say it's still going to get worse before it gets better. How would you like to economy-proof your job?
Ruth, a blog reader, shared an interesting tip from her former employer: Hone a skill that makes you indispensable. Indispensable equals job security. It means you can't be replaced. No one else can do your job.
Implied in this concept is the idea that the company can't function without someone fulfilling specific duties of your position. So, even if the other aspects of your job aren't essential, some aspect of your position is vital and can only be done by you. Even if a company downsizes, it will find a way to keep you around. As long as the company's doors are open, you have a job.
There are two catches. The first is that -- depending on your area of expertise -- you may have to stay atop trending to make sure your indispensable skill is still indispensable. As technology mushrooms, indispensable one day is obsolete the next. For example: iPhone 4.
The second catch is the eye of the beholder. If you think a skill is indispensable but your boss sees no value in it, you have failed to economy-proof your job. Make sure your indispensable skill is considered indispensable by your employer/client. The person who's writing your checks has to see extreme value in what you're doing.
What skill makes you indispensable to your employer?