Leave My Job in This Market?

You’ve been itching to leave your job for a while now and nothing exciting has cropped up in your current company. A recruiter calls with a great opportunity. In the past you would have jumped at this. But this time, there’s a nagging voice that’s telling you “You can’t leave your job in this market. If you do, and there are layoffs in the new company, then you’ll be first to go.” So, you stay put wondering if you are making a big mistake by not pursuing this potential dream job.

Should you stay or should you go?

Before you decide to pass on this great opportunity, consider our Take Five:
1.The New Company is Hiring – While there are no guarantees, the fact that the new company is hiring in this economic climate is a good sign. Companies that are hiring in down markets are usually in industries that are not as negatively impacted by the recession. Because of this, they are less likely to be downsizing in the near future.

2.There’s a Need for the Position - This new position is part of some strategic plan that they just put in place. After all, if they didn’t value the position, they wouldn’t be hiring for it. So, don’t automatically assume that if a layoff does occur that this position will be affected. During the course of your interviewing, find out from the company how this position fits into their long term strategic plans. If they see it as something that is integral to their long term future, that’s a good sign. Even if there are layoffs and you’re new, don’t assume that all layoffs are a function of tenure – LIFO (last in, first out).

3.Great Jobs Don’t Come Along Every Day - You can’t steal second with your foot on first. As Oprah says, “The greatest risk is never daring to risk”. If you never put yourself in a position of potential risk, you will significantly reduce your ability to advance your career. This job sounds like a great opportunity because it is! The greater risk might be staying where you are.

4. There’s No Security Where You Are - Wouldn’t you kick yourself if you didn’t take the new job for fear of being laid off, only to get laid off from your current company? No job carries with it a “lifetime guarantee”, so you need to actively and consistently evaluate your career to determine when a job move is warranted.

5. It Ain’t Happening at Your Current Company - This isn’t a dig at your current company, it just means that this great new job doesn’t exist where you are. If your current company can’t offer other challenging positions, then it’s just a matter of time before you’ll leave anyway. If you decide to wait until the market turns around, you’ll miss out on this great opportunity.
If you are presented with a great new job opportunity evaluate all the pros and cons carefully, but realize that advancing your career can sometimes entail a certain degree of risk. There are no guarantees in life. You can minimize that risk by doing your homework, but don’t let the fear of what might happen down the road prevent you from taking advantage of what appears to be a good career choice.

Fred & Gladys
Whelan Stone
Executive Search and Coaching
www.whelanstone.com

Keeping the Job You Love

It’s all over the news and all around the water cooler -more layoffs, layoffs, layoffs. Fortunately, your job seems to be safe – for the moment – but you worry that you might be next. What an uneasy feeling that is. Of course, if it’s a mass layoff, then there’s probably nothing you can do about it. But, if the layoff is more selective, then maybe you can do something now to keep the job you love.

Here’s Our Take Five:

1. Innovate! - Clearly, these are difficult times, but that doesn’t mean companies aren’t innovating. Some people make the mistake of maintaining the status quo and not trying anything new. They think, “This is not the time to focus on new strategies. We have to keep our heads down and get the work done”. While your company might be contracting in some ways, they are always looking for ways (and the leadership) to grow the business and that means implementing new ideas. You have innovative ideas, so this is the time to bring them forward. Don’t make the mistake of just keeping your head down. If there was ever a time for optimism it’s now. Being an innovator will separate you from your peers who are afraid to risk trying anything new in this climate. If the company does have to layoff a select few, who do you think will go first: the people who keep innovating in tough times or the ones who just want to hunker down?

2.Increase Your Visibility – If at all possible, give a presentation, run a team meeting or get on a committee. Alternatively, you can simply reach out to other people within the organization – sales, marketing, finance, etc. Have frequent, positive contact and offer assistance where needed, so that people will say “That Linda is a keeper”. During times of stress, it’s the person with a plan (e.g., new ideas) who will attract the positive attention of senior management.

3. Be Your Boss’s Co-Pilot - Ask your boss, “What can I take off your plate?” Yes, you’ve got a lot on yours, but, the more you do, the more indispensible you’ll be. When it comes time to decide who gets the ax, your boss is going to look around to see who is doing what. If you’re doing more with the same resources, and/or have your hand in projects that affect multiple areas, you’ll be the one management must keep in the organization.

4. Become More Productive – Do your job as though you just got it. Do you remember that enthusiasm you had in the beginning? Well, bring that to work with you every day. Take a fresh look at every part of your job and figure out a way to do each 20% better. You get more productive by streamlining processes, reducing meeting times, doing things less frequently – one report a week instead of two – and delegating. This is a time when companies are looking to run leaner organizations. Demonstrate by your attitude and productivity that you are aligned with senior management and you’ll be less at risk than those who aren’t.

5. Be Positive - Remember… you still have a job. Don’t complain about the workload or engage with people who want to rehash how bad things are. Don’t listen to rumors that your group may be out next and don’t run to your boss asking “What have you heard?”

Maintain a positive attitude. Who would you rather work with, someone who is fearful and complaining or someone who takes things in stride with the best possible outlook? Your boss and those you work with are no different.
The more positive you can be about your job and the better you can be at your job, the greater the likelihood is that you will be retained when others are let go. An added benefit is that you’ll feel better about going to work each day, appreciating the job you have and demonstrating that you are committed to improving the company, especially in hard times.

Fred & Gladys
Whelan Stone
Executive Search and Coaching
www.whelanstone.com

Canned or Not, Layoffs Affect Everyone

 Whew! The good news is that you just survived the most recent round of layoffs. The bad news is that your job just got bigger. Your title hasn’t changed and there’s no raise in sight, just more work for you to do, since there are fewer employees.

Here’s our Take Five on how to keep up with your workload when more is being piled on:

 

 

 

1. Keep Things in Perspective — You may have more work to do, but at least you’re still drawing a paycheck. If that doesn’t give you comfort, it should. It’s better than the alternative, being laid off and trying to find a job in a tough economy. Another plus to taking on new responsibilities is that it’s an opportunity to increase your skill set, which can make you more valuable internally and externally.
2. Set Your Boss’s Expectations — Just like David Letterman has his “Top 10″ list, you and your boss should agree on yours. Meet with your boss and let him/her know that you are going to do your best under the circumstances. Have in mind your list of top projects and the rationale for why they are important. Get agreement from your boss on which projects can be assigned a lower priority. It’s likely that your boss is under additional pressure as well, and your approach to your new workload will be one less thing for them to worry about.
3. Be More Efficient — There’s a saying “work expands to fill the time allotted.” There’s also a saying “If you want something done, get a busy person to do it.” Land somewhere between these extremes. This is a great time to look at your job with fresh eyes. What can you do more efficiently? Are there reports that can be shortened, combined or deleted all together? Examine every component of your job — don’t take anything for granted, as there is always an opportunity to streamline processes.
4. Use Outside Resources — It’s not unusual for companies in the aftermath of a layoff, to allow the use of contract/temporary workers to pick up the slack. Even a part-time extra pair of hands can help. Only by asking will you find out if your company is willing to go this route.
5. Be a Nicer Co-Worker — Cut backs affect all departments and it’s likely that many other employees are doing more with fewer resources. Recognizing that your co-workers may be feeling the same psychological pressures that you are, make the extra effort to be even nicer to them. The nicer you are, the more they’ll do for you. After all, you can’t say “The hole is on your side of the boat.” You all succeed or fail together.

It’s all in how you look at things. More work doesn’t have to mean more stress. Just take a one-day-at-a-time approach and do your best. The old axioms in business don’t hold true anymore. Like Yogi Berra said “The future ain’t what it used to be.” Look on this as an opportunity to shine in difficult times.

Fred & Gladys
Whelan Stone
Executive Search and Coaching
www.whelanstone.com