Bullet-proof your job!

I found a great article in the February 1, 2009 issue of Bottom Line Personal. “Bulletproof Your Job and Ride Out the Rough Times at Work” is written by Stephen Viscusi.

Here are the highlights:

• Be “low maintenance.” Don’t complain, don’t have others complain about you, don’t bitch about the workplace with co-workers.
• Stay upbeat. Be optimistic about the company’s future.
• Make sure the boss knows you’re a human being. Share some details of your life with your boss. Let your boss know that you have personal financial responsibilities. Don’t sound needy. Just mention it in conversation, if it naturally arises.
• Make a friend in the human resources department. If you have an ally here, he/she might be able to warn you about upcoming cuts, etc.
• Volunteer to take on tasks your boss dislikes. He’ll think twice about eliminating you, if it means that he’ll have to take the headache responsibility back.
• Don’t let your boss see you not working. Don’t take long lunches, shop online, or play computer games.
• Arrive at least five minutes before your boss in the morning and stay five minutes later.
• Add value to the company. Show how you save the company more than you’re paid or that you add value more than what you’re paid.
• Become your employer’s specialist on a crucial chore that the department would miss if you were gone.
• Watch for signs that your specialized role might become obsolete. Plan to transition if this is the case.
• Build allies in the company’s most promising department. If layoffs come your way, see if they might let you transfer into the safe department.
• Try to negotiate a layoff into a pay cut or part-time job. An underpaid job is better than no job at all.