For the majority of job applicants, job security is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting companies they hope to work for. Job security can assure workers a relatively stable career with low risks of being unemployed. This pandemic has brought chaos in many different forms, causing both job seekers and employees to be worried about securing their jobs.
According to the WSJ, almost half of the technology workers at companies around the global are stressed about losing their jobs, a reasonable concern. Tech giants such as Uber, Lyft and Airbnb have been planning to cut thousands of positions, and even small tech firms are trying to reduce head-counts. In addition to the economic crisis, technology workers worry that automation in the industry is threatening their career. According to a report conducted by KPMG, 67% of workers at technology companies in the US expressed concern about being replaced by digital capabilities. At a time when job security is eroding, what actions should job applicants and employees take to ensure that their jobs will be safe for the foreseeable future? Sedna puts together some recommendations to help tech workers feel a sense of stability in their careers.
1. Exceed employers’ expectations.
Theoretically, you are hired to accomplish tasks that the company assigns to you, but that might not be enough to convince your boss to let you stay. An irreplaceable employee would go beyond just fulfilling required duties listed on the job description. In addition to completing assigned tasks, you should treat it like it’s your own business. Try your best to strive for producing high quality work, always. Employers do not just want to get work done. They want to see what differentiates you from others, and what you can do to significantly contribute to the company. In order to deliver excellent results, passion and diligence are just the first step. After that, you need to think comprehensively, plan strategically, and execute carefully. Put yourself in your employer’s shows and visualize the results you would expect as a boss. After that, set a goal and build achievable steps towards the goal. When you accomplish a task with all of your effort, make sure to review your work from an employer’s perspective and make proper adjustments to improve it. If you are able to manage your schedule well, and you feel fine with extra work without too much pressure, ask for more tasks and show your boss what you are capable of. This may not only ensure your career, but also increase your chances of getting a raise and promotion.
2. Network internally.
Networking is an essential part of professional development, and it helps professionals to establish and cultivate mutually-beneficial long-term relationships. Most of the time, we connect and network with people outside of our organizations to stay on top of the latest trends of the industry and get firsthand news about the job market. However, we often overlook the importance of internal networking. Working in an organization is like working in a team. Without open communication and productive collaboration within a team, the team is unable to thrive. Building an internal network allows you to connect with your colleagues closely. You can join online group chats and schedule lunch dates with several coworkers to exchange insights and strengthen team cohesion. With improved communication and cohesive teams within the organization, members in the company will increase their productivity and have more innovative discussions and solutions. By adding value to your company, you are contributing to the growth and success of your company. Simultaneously, you are making yourself a valuable and indispensable resource that your company can’t afford to lose.
3. Continuously develop your knowledge and skills.
As a company evolves, outdated employees who don’t make efforts to do the same have fewer chances of keeping their jobs. In order to consolidate your career, you need to continue to provide value to your company and keep your knowledge and skills up-to-date with new technology trends. Your first steps are to search job titles for positions in your career field and review job descriptions to identify and have a better understanding of what skills employers value the most. Afterwards, you should improve your skills based on your own needs as well. If you decide to spend some time on it, you can always go to school for higher education or attend workshops to develop new skills. If you have a busy schedule, you can expand your knowledge and gain some new insight through following industry leaders on social media and reading professional journals. These are some of the best resources you can easily access to learn about the latest news in your industry.
A job with high job security doesn’t necessarily guarantee anything. Instead of seeking a career with high stability, it is crucial that you grow with and keep up the pace of the company. By taking our advice, or exploring other ways that work for you, not only will you keep your job, but you will also have a successful and promising career.